Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia
Published on: June 28, 2018
Exploration of Nurses' Preventive Practices for Aspiration Pneumonia Among Poststroke Patients at a Teaching Hospital
Yaa Serwaa Frimpong1, Menford Owusu Ampomah1, Cecilia Eliason1
1Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
Introduction:
Patients who have experienced a stroke are at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. The risk of aspiration pneumonia is often attributed to dysphagia, which is a condition observed in stroke patients due to the weakening of the muscles involved in swallowing. Nursing care related to oral hygiene, feeding, positioning, and mobilization can reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia in poststroke patients. This study aims to explore nurses' experiences with prevention practices for aspiration pneumonia in poststroke patients.
Methods:
This study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design. Twelve registered nurses were recruited from the stroke unit of a Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, using an interview guide. The data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results:
The findings revealed two main themes and five subthemes about nurse practice to prevent aspiration pneumonia in poststroke patients. They included prevention practices, describing what participants thought were prevention practices for aspiration pneumonia. The second theme, attitudes towards prevention practices, generated the participants' beliefs and attitudes as they related them to carrying out various prevention practices. Highlights of the findings included the participants' detailed descriptions of the preventative measures they utilized and their positive attitudes towards the various patient-centered prevention practices they detailed. These encompassed a dynamic process of care, attentiveness to signs and symptoms of aspiration in poststroke patients, and perceptions of the negative aspects of prevention practices.
Conclusions:
Nursing practice should place strong emphasis on the critical role nurses play in preventing respiratory complications, particularly aspiration pneumonia, in poststroke patients. In addition, further research into the burden of pneumonia among stroke survivors and the effectiveness of nurse-led preventive interventions is essential for enhancing the quality of poststroke care.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:30Pneumonia 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....
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...