Case Study, Infection
Barbara Smith, a 77-year-old female client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, is admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia in the lower lobes. She completed a round of chemotherapy 1 week ago. She stated she watches her two grandchildren ages 5 and 7 years in her home before and after school. She stated both had recently had some sort of upper respiratory infection with fever, coughing, and sneezing. She attends a large church regularly that has a meet and greets time when everyone shakes hands with each other. She reported several church members have been sick with the flu recently. The nurse is concerned when reviewing the electronic medical record that the client has no records of receiving immunizations for pneumococcal pneumonia or influenza. All other immunizations are up-to-date.
a. What are the factors that increase the client's susceptibility to acquire the pneumoniainfection?
b. What are ways to decrease risks for acquiring future infections?