Nursing Blog

Lung abscess is a type of coagulation necrosis of the pulmonary tissue and formation of cavities (more than 2 cm) containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection. This pus-filled cavity is often caused by aspiration, which may occur during altered consciousness. Alcoholism is the most common condition predisposing to lung abscesses. Lung abscess is considered primary (60%) when it results from existing lung parenchymal process and is termed secondary when it complicates another process e.g. vascular emboli or follows rupture of extrapulmonary abscess into lung. Predisposing Factors of Lung abscess There is a source of respiratory tract infections. Infection of the mouth, larynx tumors infected, bronchitis, bronchiectasis and lung cancer are infected. Endurance respiratory disturbance In laryngeal paralysis, aspiration of gastric fluid because it is unconscious, esophageal cancer, and sillia movement disorders. Mechanical obstruction of the airways due to aspiration of

Lung abscess is defined as necrosis of the pulmonary tissue and formation of cavities containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection. The formation of multiple small (< 2 cm) abscesses is occasionally referred to as necrotizing pneumonia or lung gangrene. Both lung abscess and necrotizing pneumonia are manifestations of a similar pathologic process. Failure to recognize and treat lung abscess is associated with poor clinical outcome. Lung abscesses can be classified based on the duration and the likely etiology. Acute abscesses are less than 4-6 weeks old, whereas chronic abscesses are of longer duration. Primary abscess is infectious in origin, caused by aspiration or pneumonia in the healthy host; secondary abscess is caused by a preexisting condition (eg, obstruction), spread from an extrapulmonary site, bronchiectasis, and/or an immunocompromised state. Lung abscesses can be further characterized by the responsible pathogen, such as Staphylococcus lung absce