Related Experiment Videos
Resolution of symptoms in patients with community-acquired pneumonia treated on an ambulatory basis
Thomas J Marrie1, Michael D Beecroft, Zeljka Herman-Gnjidic
1Department of Medicine, 2F1.30 Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Center, University of Alberta, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada. tom.marrie@ualberta.ca
Objective:
To describe the resolution of five symptoms commonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
Methods:
Three hundred and ninety-nine patients with CAP (Fine Classes I to III) recorded the severity (from 0 to 5) of fatigue, cough, dyspnoea, sputum, and pleuritic chest pain daily from enrollment to day 14 and also on days 30 and 42. A total symptom score was obtained by multiplying an individual score by four and summing the score of the five symptom (transformed score). A total symptom score of
Results:
The mean untransformed symptom scores at the time of presentation were: fatigue (3.5 +/- 1.4), cough (3.5 +/- 1.5), dyspnoea (2.7 +/- 1.5), sputum production (2.2 +/- 1.6) and chest pain (2.1 +/- 1.7). Sixty-seven percent had resolution of symptoms by day 14. When the study population was divided according to a mean total symptom score of
Conclusion:
The pneumonia symptom severity score is a useful tool for advising patients regarding the time to symptomatic resolution of pneumonia.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Atypical Pneumonia
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management