Aspiration Pneumonia

Overview

4.5 out of 5 (38 Reviews)

Credits

2.00

Post Assessment Questions

22

Expiration Date

28 Feb 2026

Last Reviewed

1 Mar 2023

Estimated Time To Finish

120 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

The infectious pulmonary process that occurs after abnormal entry of fluids into the lower respiratory tract is termed aspiration pneumonia. The aspirated fluid can be oropharyngeal secretions or particulate matter or can also be gastric content. The term aspiration pneumonitis refers to inhalational acute lung injury that occurs after aspiration of sterile gastric contents. In an observational study, it is found that the risk of patients hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia in developing aspiration pneumonia is found to be about 13.8%. The mortality rate from aspiration pneumonia is largely dependent on the volume and content of aspirate and can be up to 70%. This activity describes the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of aspiration pneumonia and highlights the role of team-based interprofessional care for affected patients.

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the pathophysiology of aspiration pneumonia.
  • Review the evaluation of patients with aspiration pneumonia.
  • Outline the treatment and management options available for aspiration pneumonia.
  • Summarize interprofessional team strategies for improving care and outcomes in patients with aspiration pneumonia.

Disclosures

StatPearls requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. None of the planners of this educational activity have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information


This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, and StatPearls, LLC. The Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University designates this activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is reported to the following Maintenance of Certification (MOC) boards:
American Board of Anesthesiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • General Operative Anesthesia
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Adolescent Medicine
  • Hospice and Palliative Medicine
  • Hospital Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pulmonary Disease
  • Infectious Disease
American Board of Pathology
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases/Medical Microbiology
  • Pulmonary, Mediastinum
American Board of Pediatrics
  • Adolescent Medicine
  • General Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric Pulmonology

Instructions for Credit

  1. Register for the activity and create a StatPearls login.     
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content in the activity.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment.
  6. Obtain a certificate.

For information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

Disclaimer

Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls specifically disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money-back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearlsand and Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls andQuillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements: Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls andQuillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Institutions. 

 

Media Usage Rights

The contributors and editors of StatPearls have attested that all associated media (images and video) have been legally cleared for use with this activity.  All copyrights are reserved.

  • Name: '00108310_cw_image_wi_f1a58a6fbd23d0a3c4be9236cf5c38f8.jpg' Attribution: Contributed by Melvil (CC By S.A. 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
  • Name: 'aspiration pneumonia.png' Attribution: Image courtesy O.Chaigasame

Reviews

Deborah Z. on 4/6/2021

Henrik H. on 4/21/2021

Peter S. on 6/21/2021

Valerie H. on 6/25/2021

Kristen C. on 9/4/2022

Erica O. on 9/11/2021

Kristy T. on 9/13/2021

Sheree H. on 10/30/2021

Thomas C. on 11/18/2021

Sharon L. on 12/28/2021

Cori B. on 3/2/2022

Preeti S. on 3/17/2022

on 4/2/2022

Yvonne H. on 4/18/2022

Regina B. on 4/3/2022

Thanks much

Dr. Mallikarjuna S. on 4/22/2022

Luis G. on 5/15/2022

Pamela D. on 5/31/2022

Mary H. on 8/5/2022

Ryan F. on 8/28/2022

Judith B. on 8/28/2022

Nicholas D. on 8/30/2022

None

Candice P. on 9/19/2022

MARIUS T. on 10/5/2022

Dr.NIRMALA M. on 10/12/2022

Donald P. on 10/14/2022

Elizabeth T. on 10/20/2022

Carrie H. on 11/3/2022

Gerri S. on 11/12/2022

Parthasarathi m. on 12/1/2022

Stacey g. on 12/4/2022

Andrea C. on 12/12/2022

Claudia C. on 12/24/2022

merrill h. on 12/28/2022

Lance C. on 1/12/2023

Michael B. on 2/19/2023

Laura S. on 3/2/2023

Indumathi D. on 3/25/2023

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