Misc

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Arterial Blood Gas Results
Primarily, blood gas results will resemble that of respiratory alkalosis due to hyperventilation. Consisting of a pH greater than 7.35, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels of less than 35 centimeters of water (cmH20). Bicarbonate (HCO3) involvement, the body’s natural buffer system for respiratory alkalosis, will depend largely on the individual and the body‘s response. Also, Pneumonia may present a degree of hypoxemia due to poor aeration of the lung.
Modes of Therapy/Pharmacological Agents
Treatment is based on the clinical presentation, results of the Gram stain sputum specimens, the radiographic appearance of the pneumonia, the degree of respiratory impairment, and the results of cultures.

If the cause is bacterial, then the goal of treatment is to cure the infection with antibiotics, which can typically be taken orally at home. If the infection is severe, if the person is having difficulty breathing, or has other chronic medical conditions, then intravenous antibiotics may be needed and are usually administered in a hospital. Antibiotics work by killing bacteria or preventing them from growing and reproducing. Often the antibiotic chosen will be effective against a wide range of bacteria. The first choice of treatment may be a fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, doxycycline, a macrolide, or a combination of penicillin and a macrolide.
Antifungal medications are available to fight off fungal pneumonias. Common names include amphrotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole.
If the infection is viral, the goal is to alleviate any signs and symptoms of the infection through supportive since there is no cure for a virus. This can be done with over the counter medications such as acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, which can be helpful in relieving some of the fever and pain associated with pneumonia. Ibuprofen, commonly referred to as Motrin or Advil, can also be useful for fever reduction...