Medicine and Healthcare
Mucor is a fungus genus found in decaying organic matter, soil, plant surfaces, and digestive tracts (Walker et al., 2014). These fungi can be found all over the environment, and infections caused by them can be deadly. Mucor infections have become more common in recent years, but the prognosis for patients infected with these fungi is still lacking. Mucor infections can take two forms, both of which are dependent on the route of exposure (Walker et al., 2014). The first is pulmonary exposure, which occurs when a person inhales fungal spores from their surroundings or environment. These fungal spores can cause the development of infections in the sinuses, face, eyes, and lungs. Second, is through injuries on the skin of an individual. The fungus finds their way in a person body through wounds, scrapes, and cuts on the skin (Walker et al., 2014). In addition, farmers and workers with massive exposure to animal or bird excretions also possess a high risk of being exposed to Mucor (Walker et al., 2014). Mucormycosis is not contagious thus; it cannot spread from one individual to another.
Pathophysiologic Progression of Infection into Pneumonia
Mucormycosis is a seldom infection that is caused by organisms belonging to a group of fungi known as Mucoromycotina (Walker et al., 2014). This fungus exists or is typically found in the soil that possesses decaying organic matter, for example, compost pit, rotten leaves or wood, and soil that contains excretions from birds or animals (Walker et al., 2014). The pathophysiological progression of the infection from this fungus is fast, and if treatment is not done on time, there can be fatal results. An individual who inhales the Mucor usually or mostly end up being diagnosed or having pneumonia (Walker et al., 2014). When a Mucor spore is inhaled, it often invades the alveoli, penetrates into space in between the lung cells and later spreads to adjacent lung cells. The process of spreading of this fungus in the lungs consequently activates the immune system causing the increase of leukocyte in the patient lung, and this leads to the inflammation, leakage of fluids from blood vessels in the alveoli and impairment of oxygen transportation leading to pneumonia (Walker et al., 2014). The response of the immune systems in the patient body may result in fever, fatigue, and chills being experienced by the patient.
Nursing/Medical Intervention
The best medical/ nursing intervention would include placing the pneumonia patients in a high Fowler position, giving medication to help in the restoration of the pulmonary lobe, and treatment of fungal infections (Walker et al., 2014).
Laboratory Values that are Considered Abnormal
Laboratory values that are considered as abnormal are those ones that are either very low or very high from the standard value (Banks & Corbett, 2013). These abnormal values are experienced where there is the presence of illness or disease. Some examples of abnormal values here are pH 7.50, HCO3 29 meq/L among others.
Abnormality and Probably Pathophysiologic Causes
From the laboratory results, some of the causes of increase in serum sodium are as to a greater loss of water from the body, which can be because of profuse sweating, severe diarrhea or vomiting, polyuria, and hypergolic (Banks & Corbett, 2013). This case experiences in individuals who have diabetes. High arterial blood pH with high bicarbonate and low partial pressure of carbon dioxide can be as a result of a condition called Respiratory acidosis and is commonly caused by lung disease that includes COPD and pneumonia (Banks & Corbett, 2013).
Medical Treatment and Medications
The medical remedy includes 4L NC of Oxygen and intravenous antibiotics. Treatment intervention included respiratory therapy and oxygen therapy (Banks & Corbett, 2013).
Rationale for Medication and Treatment
Intravenous antibiotics are induced in the body by swallowing or injected to help diminish chest pain, resolve the fever and shortness of breath. 4L NC Oxygen given to the patient through a face mask or nasal tube to help maintain the blood oxygen level. In extreme cases, a ventilator is more advisable. Respiratory and oxygen therapy is breathing exercises performed on the patient to help maximize oxygenation (Banks & Corbett, 2013).
References
Banks, A., & Corbett, J. (2013). Laboratory tests and diagnosis procedures with nursing diagnoses. Pearson.
Walker, C. M., Abbott, G. F., Greene, R. E., Shepard, J. A. O., Vummidi, D., & Digumarthy, S. R. (2014). Imaging pulmonary infection: Classic signs and patterns. American Journal of Roentqenology, 202(3), 479-492.
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