Nursing Care Plan for an Infant With Pneumonia
Infant pneumonia may be congenitally acquired or acquired as a result of an infectious organism after birth. Its symptoms may range from mild to severe. It is an important cause of extended hospitalization and death. Nursing care requires patience. Symptoms may linger and parents need extra support and education. Families think their baby “should be better by now.” In fact, in many cases, care extends long after the course of antibiotics is done.
Administration of Ordered Antibiotics
1. In congenital pneumonia, the World Health Organization recommends that Ampicillin and Gentamycin are the first line. Once a definitive organism is identified, that may change. In other cases of pneumonia, the course will be the same since identifying the organism is crucial to appropriate and effective treatment. The intravenous line should be maintained and monitored hourly for infiltration. This is especially true when giving Gentamycin since it can temporarily damage veins. Gentamycin levels should be monitored per hospital protocol as should other aminoglycoside levels.
Oxygen
2. Oxygen saturations (monitored by pulse oximetry) should be maintained at or above 92 percent. Oxygen will be delivered by hood or tent. The pulse oximeter probe may need to be changed more frequently or covered in an oxygen tent. Older infants may use a nasal cannula but humidity should also be included with any type of oxygen delivery. Nebulizer treatments should be given prior to feeding and accompanied by chest percussion to loosen secretions. Assessment of breath sounds before and after nebulizer and chest percussion is important for comparison.
Comfort and Rest
3. Infants should be positioned for comfort and allowed to rest. Comfort may often include being held by their mothers or other primary caregivers. Antipyretics are used as ordered but only if the child is uncomfortable or suffering complications from fever, such as increased respiratory rate. Rest is critical in nursing care of an infant with pneumonia. Most timed interventions like antibiotics and nebulizer treatments can be done while the infant is sleeping, if necessary. Other care can be provided when the infant is awake for feeding.
Parental Support
4. Having an infant with pneumonia is a frightening experience for parents. They may worry that their baby will die and feel helpless to care for him. Maintaining calm, confident compassion is important for the family’s well-being. Explaining even the smallest intervention can ease some of their fears. Allow the parents or primary caregivers to be with their infant at all times, if possible.
Education
5. Nursing care of the infant with pneumonia includes family education. Educate the caregiver by saying the names of the medications being used. If there is a change in antibiotics, explain to the caregiver the reason for it. Keep the family involved and informed to improve their well-being so they may participate fully in the recovery of the infant with pneumonia
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