Treatment Goals
› Maintain Optimum Physiologic Status, Provide Comfort, and Prevent Complications
• Closely monitor vital signs; intake and output; oxygenation; daily weight; electrolytes; sputum production; cardiac,
respiratory, fluid, and nutritional status; breath sounds; and pulse oximetry and ABG values. Request referral to a
pulmonologist and/or infectious disease specialist if one is not already part of the treatment team
• Assist with clearance of secretions using nasotracheal and oral suctioning as needed. Utilize positioning techniques as
well as manual or mechanical percussion to help loosen secretions, preferably in conjunction with prescribed breathing treatments. Educate patient, as developmentally appropriate, and family about importance of secretion clearance and regular deep breathing and coughing
• Assist with tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation support and provide oxygen for children with progressive dyspnea and/or respiratory failure, as ordered. Provide tracheobronchial suctioning or assist with tracheobronchoscopy to help remove effusions, particulates, or plugs, if appropriate, and elevate the child’s head
• Assess for pain, fever, and discomfort, and provide symptomatic relief as ordered
• Administer prescribed antimicrobial agents as determined by the causative organism and illness severity. Antimicrobials
for treatment of PIC include amoxicillin, penicillin G, amoxicillin-clavulanate, or erythromycin for S. pneumoniae; vancomycin or clindamycin for S.aureus; azithromycin for atypical mycobacterial pneumonia; cefuroxime for H. influenzae; acyclovir for varicella-related (e.g., chickenpox) pneumonia; and amantadine and oseltamivir for influenza pneumonia.
• Administer or assist with administration of additional respiratory medications, including nebulized antibiotics, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory medications, and mucolytics
–Monitor treatment efficacy and for adverse effects and complications
• Follow facility infection control protocols to reduce risk of transmission
› Provide Emotional Support and Educate About Transmission Prevention
• Provide a quiet, calm environment with frequent rest periods; assess child/parental anxiety and coping ability; provide emotional support and encourage expression of any concerns/feelings; if the child is intubated, provide oral care and adequate hydration. Educate and encourage discussion about pneumonia etiology and pathophysiology, potential complications, treatment risks and benefits, and individualized prognosis
• Educate about prevention strategies (e.g., pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, H. influenzae type B [HiB] vaccine, yearly influenza vaccination)