Patient education: Aspiration pneumonia – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is aspiration pneumonia? — Aspiration pneumonia happens when a substance that should not be in the lungs gets into the lungs and causes problems (figure 1).

Normally, the body can keep foods, liquids, bacteria, and other things out of the lungs and airways. But if the body accidentally lets these things into the lungs, they can do 1 or more of the following:

●Damage the lung tissue

●Cause an infection

●Block an airway

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Follow all instructions for taking antibiotics, if your doctor prescribed them.

●Take warm, steamy showers to help soothe a cough. You can also use a cool mist humidifier if your doctor told you to. If you try this, keep the humidifier clean.

●Use hard candy or cough drops to soothe sore throat and cough.

●Be careful and go slow when you eat or drink if you have swallowing problems. Your doctor might suggest working with a speech therapist.

●Raise the head of your bed, or sleep on extra pillows, so you aren't lying flat. This might help prevent aspiration pneumonia from happening again.

●Avoid eating for at least 2 hours before going to bed. Avoid or limit foods that unsettle your stomach.

●Avoid alcohol, especially in the evening.

●Avoid smoking. If you are having trouble quitting, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help.

●Take care of your teeth and gums. This includes regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You are having so much trouble breathing that you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.

●You need to sit upright at all times to be able to breathe, and/or cannot lie down.

●You have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still.

●Your shortness of breath has not gotten better after a few days.

●You are coughing up blood.

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills, even after taking your medicines.

●Your symptoms are not getting better in 3 to 4 days.

●Your symptoms improve but then get worse again.

●You are still coughing in 6 to 8 weeks.

More on this topic

Patient education: Aspiration pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Pneumocystis pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough in children (The Basics)
Patient education: When to worry about a fever in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Fever in children (The Basics)

Patient education: Pneumonia in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Pneumonia prevention in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic cough in adults (Beyond the Basics)