Use the image in "Discussion Question Resource: Chest X-Ray" to answer the following Critical...

Question

Use the image in "Discussion Question Resource: Chest X-Ray" to answer the following Critical Thinking Questions.

Examine the x-ray of a patient diagnosed with pneumonia due to infection with Mucor. Refer to the "Module 4 DQ Chest Xray" resource in order to complete the following questions.

Critical Thinking Questions

Explain what Mucor is and how a patient is likely to become infected with Mucor. Describe the pathophysiologic progression of the infection into pneumonia and at least two medical/nursing interventions that would be helpful in treating the patient.

Examine the laboratory blood test results and arterial blood gases provided in "Discussion Question Resource: Laboratory Blood Test Results." What laboratory values are considered abnormal? Explain each abnormality and discuss the probable causes from a pathophysiologic perspective.

What medications and medical treatments are likely to be prescribed by the attending physician on this case? List at least three medications and three treatments. Provide rationale for each of the medications and treatments you suggest.

?Discussion Question Resource: Laboratory Blood Test Results

Laboratory Blood Test Results and Arterial Blood Gases

Na 141 meq/L	Mg 1.7 mg/dL	pH 7.50
K 4.5 meq/L	PO4 2.9 mg/dL	PaO2 59 mm Hg on room air
Cl 105 meq/L	Glu, fasting 138 mg/dL	PaCO2 25 mm Hg
HCO3 29 meq/L	Hb 13.7 g/dL
BUN 16 mg/dL	Hct 39.4%
Cr 0.9 mg/dL	WBC 15,200/mm³
Ca 8.7 mg/dL	Lymphocytes 10%

Discussion Question Resource: Laboratory Blood Test Results Laboratory Blood Test Results and Arterial Blood Gases Na 141 meq/L Mg 1.7 mg/dL pH 7.50 K 4.5 meq/L PO4 2.9 mg/dL PaO2 59 mm Hg on room air Cl 105 meq/L Glu, fasting 138 mg/dL PaCO2 25 mm Hg HCO3 29 meq/L Hb 13.7 g/dL BUN 16 mg/dL Hct 39.4% Cr 0.9 mg/dL WBC 15,200/mm³ Ca 8.7 mg/dL Lymphocytes 10%

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David · Accepted Answer

The chest X- ray shows a small fungus ball at right upper lobe of lung. In the left upper lobe 
there is also a small fungus ball, though this is not clear in the picture. Only part of this ball can 
be seen in the picture. 
Explain what Mucor is and how a patient is likely to become infected with Mucor. Describe the 
pathophysiologic progression of the infection into pneumonia and at least two medical/nursing 
interventions that would be helpful in treating the patient.  
Mucor is a genus within the Zygomycetes class of fungi. This fungus belongs to Mucoraceae 
family. Several species of this family are Mucor, Rhizopus, Absidia, Rhizomucor 
Candida species, Aspergillus species etc. These species are normally found in decaying organic 
material (Maertens J , 1999). These organisms can lead to serious and life-threatening infections 
in immunocompromised patients (Kitabayashi A, 1988). 
Pathogenesis: 
These fungal species reproduce by spores which are present in the environment and infectious to 
human. Spores can enter the body through inhalation or through food and drinks. After entry the 
spores can produce mature fungi. Mucor is a filamentous fungus and they can rapidly invade the 
different tissues and cells through extension of their hyphae. These fungi can invade into the 
blood vessels, GI tract, lung alveoli. Infected cells undergo necrosis. In the lung it blocks the 
alveoli through the fungus ball which results in pneumonia.
Treatment: 
Antifungal therapy:  
First approach of treatment is use of antifungal drugs.

Use the image in "Discussion Question Resource: Chest X-Ray" to answer the following Critical Thinking Questions. Examine the x-ray of a patient diagnosed with pneumonia due to infection with Mucor....

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