Pneumonia: NCLEX Priorities
CAP vs HAP vs VAP, atypical organisms, antibiotic selection, vaccine prevention.
Pneumonia varies by setting and organism. NCLEX tests CAP vs HAP, atypicals, and vaccination teaching.
CAP (community-acquired)
Strep pneumoniae most common. Outpatient: amoxicillin or doxycycline. Inpatient: ceftriaxone + azithromycin. Atypicals (Mycoplasma, Legionella, Chlamydophila): macrolide or doxycycline coverage essential.
HAP/VAP
Acquired ≥48h after admission/intubation. Pseudomonas and MRSA risk. Broad coverage: vancomycin + cefepime or piperacillin-tazobactam.
Recognition
Fever, productive cough, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain. Crackles, consolidation on CXR. Elevated WBC.
Vaccination
PCV20 or PCV15 followed by PPSV23. Annual influenza. COVID. Reduces pneumonia incidence and severity.
Frequently asked
Aspiration pneumonia organism?
Anaerobes. Coverage with clindamycin or amox-clavulanate.
Sputum culture before antibiotics?
Ideally yes, but don't delay antibiotics for severe pneumonia.
Quick check
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