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Patient with severe muscle weakness who has developed fever, hypoxia, new infiltrates in the middle/lower lobes and a polymicrobial infection via bronchoscopy, most consistent with aspiration pneumonia

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unrulynightfall In this question, why would elevating the bed help? She still will have oral secretions containing flora that cannot effectively empty into the stomach. Aspiration of oral secretions will still occur leading to aspiration PNA. This is the same reason an NG tube wouldn't necessarily prevent infection. Instead, cephalosporins that cover Gram +/- could have prevented the infection assocaited with her inevitable aspiration, right? +

azibird Didn't research this in depth but I don't think antibiotics are commonly indicated for PROPHYLAXIS. Perhaps there are select exceptions. NG tube wouldn't help with oral secretions, it's in the stomach. +