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Pneumonia, Aspiration

Christina Marie Colosimo, DO, MS, Gretta Evans, MD and Katelyn Anderson, BS Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Pneumonia due to the inhalation of large volume of gastric bacteria into the lung parenchyma

  • Aspiration pneumonitis is due to aspiration of contents toxic to lung, independent of bact...

DIAGNOSIS

  • There is no “gold standard” test for aspiration pneumonia; radiologic, clinical, and bacteriologic criteria have all been used. Most instances of aspiration are not observed.

  • Diagnosis is inf...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Antibiotics are indicated for aspiration pneumonia and should be tailored to the risk profile (CAP vs HCAP) of the patient. Many patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia are also ...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

  • NPO if reduced consciousness

  • Aggressive oral hygiene

  • Soft diet with thickened liquids

  • Encourage smaller bites.

  • Chin-down swallowing

  • Mechanical strategies

    • Elevated head 30 to 45 degrees when...

REFERENCES

1
Mandell LA, Niederman MS. Aspiration Pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(7):651-663. doi: 10.1056/ NEJMra1714562

CODES

ICD10

  • J69.0 Pneumonitis due to inhalation of food and vomit

  • J69.8 Pneumonitis due to inhalation of other solids and liquids

  • J69.1 Pneumonitis due to inhalation of oils and essences

SNOMED

  • 422588002 a...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Aspiration pneumonia is usually a clinical diagnosis.

  • Initial antibiotic treatment is empiric. Routine coverage of anaerobes is unnecessary in absence of specific risk factors.

  • Typical p...

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