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Palliative Care43 papers

Terminal bronchopneumonia

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Terminal bronchopneumonia refers to severe pneumonia occurring in the terminal phase of life, often complicating end-of-life care, particularly in hospice settings where the focus is on symptom management and quality of life. 21

Diagnosis

  • Clinical presentation includes acute respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, and dyspnea.
  • Chest imaging (X-ray, CT) often reveals infiltrates consistent with pneumonia.
  • Laboratory tests may show leukocytosis or leukopenia, elevated inflammatory markers.
  • Culture and sensitivity tests from sputum or blood samples can identify causative pathogens. 21
  • Management

  • Symptom Management: Focus on palliative care, including analgesia (e.g., opioids) for pain and dyspnea, and antipyretics for fever. 21
  • Antibiotics: Use judiciously based on culture results and clinical judgment, considering the end-of-life context. 21
  • Oxygen Therapy: Administered as needed to maintain oxygen saturation without causing respiratory distress.
  • Respiratory Support: Non-invasive ventilation may be considered in selected cases to alleviate respiratory symptoms. 21
  • Hydration and Nutrition: Managed carefully to prevent complications such as aspiration.
  • Family and Caregiver Support: Essential for holistic care, including training and psychological support. 61
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Concurrent hospice care can improve continuity of care, though specific management details for terminal bronchopneumonia are not extensively covered. 2
  • Elderly: Increased focus on minimizing iatrogenic complications and ensuring comfort measures are prioritized. 21
  • Comorbidities: Management strategies should be tailored to coexisting conditions, balancing aggressive interventions with palliative care goals. 21
  • Key Recommendations

  • Prioritize palliative care measures including symptom control with opioids and antipyretics to enhance quality of life. (Evidence: Strong 21)
  • Use antibiotics selectively and based on microbiological evidence, considering the limited benefit in terminal stages. (Evidence: Moderate 21)
  • Provide comprehensive support to caregivers, including training and psychological assistance, to improve overall patient care. (Evidence: Moderate 61)
  • Tailor management plans to individual patient needs, especially considering comorbidities and patient preferences. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
  • References

    1 Videon TM, Rosati RJ, Finn S. The Importance of Providing Training to Informal Caregivers of Hospice Patients: Caregiver Experience With Hospice Care Based on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers & Systems Surveys. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2025. link 2 Lindley LC, Cozad MJ, Mack JW, Keim-Malpass J, Svynarenko R, Hinds PS. Effectiveness of Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care to Improve Continuity of Care. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2022. link 3 Lavin J, Lavin C, Bai X, Mastropaolo S, Feldman D. Determining the Effect of Group Flower Arranging Sessions on Caregiver Self-Efficacy and Stress Levels in an In-Patient Hospice. Omega 2021. link 4 Bender HU, Riester MB, Borasio GD, Führer M. "Let's Bring Her Home First." Patient Characteristics and Place of Death in Specialized Pediatric Palliative Home Care. Journal of pain and symptom management 2017. link 5 Jegier BJ, O'Mahony S, Johnson J, Flaska R, Perry A, Runge M et al.. Impact of a Centralized Inpatient Hospice Unit in an Academic Medical Center. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2016. link 6 Turner F, Seiger C, Devine N. Impact of patient and caregiver transfer training provided by a physical therapist in the hospice setting: a case study. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2013. link 7 Gibson MA, Kimbrel JM, Protus BM, Perdue WJ, Arradaza N. Medication costs across the hospice stay: an evaluation of medication costs in response to the MedPAC proposed reimbursement model. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2013. link 8 Wittenberg-Lyles E, Oliver DP, Kruse RL, Demiris G, Gage LA, Wagner K. Family caregiver participation in hospice interdisciplinary team meetings: how does it affect the nature and content of communication?. Health communication 2013. link 9 Kiman R, Wuiloud AC, Requena ML. End of life care sedation for children. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care 2011. link 10 Planalp S, Trost MR, Berry PH. Spiritual feasts: meaningful conversations between hospice volunteers and patients. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2011. link 11 Eischens KP, Gilling SW, Okerlund RE, Grund TR, Iverson PS, Schommer JC. Improving medication therapy management through collaborative hospice care in rural Minnesota. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA 2010. link 12 McCallion T. Sentimental Journeys Granting hospice patients one last wish. JEMS : a journal of emergency medical services 2009. link70266-9) 13 Wlodarczyk N. The effect of music therapy on the spirituality of persons in an in-patient hospice unit as measured by self-report. Journal of music therapy 2007. link 14 Wittenberg-Lyles EM, Thompson S. Understanding enrollment conversations: the role of the hospice admissions representative. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2006. link 15 Adamle KN, Ludwick R. Humor in hospice care: who, where, and how much?. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 2005. link 16 Csikai EL. Social workers' participation in the resolution of ethical dilemmas in hospice care. Health & social work 2004. link 17 McSkimming S, London MR, Lieberman C, Quinn C, Carney B. A "CALL" for community-focused palliative care. Care management journals : Journal of case management ; The journal of long term home health care 2004. link 18 Johns C. A day in the life. Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery 2003. link00144-0) 19 Dobratz MC. Issues and dilemmas in conducting research with vulnerable home hospice participants. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing 2003. link 20 Sepulveda C, Habiyambere V, Amandua J, Borok M, Kikule E, Mudanga B et al.. Quality care at the end of life in Africa. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) 2003. link 21 Turner K, Chye R, Aggarwal G, Philip J, Skeels A, Lickiss JN. Dignity in dying: a preliminary study of patients in the last three days of life. Journal of palliative care 1996. link 22 Wetherbee LL. Powerlessness and the hospice client. Home healthcare nurse 1995. link 23 Ebel S, Langer K. The role of the physical therapist in hospice care. The American journal of hospice & palliative care 1993. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Effectiveness of Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care to Improve Continuity of Care.Lindley LC, Cozad MJ, Mack JW, Keim-Malpass J, Svynarenko R, Hinds PS The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2022)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      "Let's Bring Her Home First." Patient Characteristics and Place of Death in Specialized Pediatric Palliative Home Care.Bender HU, Riester MB, Borasio GD, Führer M Journal of pain and symptom management (2017)
    5. [5]
      Impact of a Centralized Inpatient Hospice Unit in an Academic Medical Center.Jegier BJ, O'Mahony S, Johnson J, Flaska R, Perry A, Runge M et al. The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2016)
    6. [6]
      Impact of patient and caregiver transfer training provided by a physical therapist in the hospice setting: a case study.Turner F, Seiger C, Devine N The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2013)
    7. [7]
      Medication costs across the hospice stay: an evaluation of medication costs in response to the MedPAC proposed reimbursement model.Gibson MA, Kimbrel JM, Protus BM, Perdue WJ, Arradaza N The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2013)
    8. [8]
      Family caregiver participation in hospice interdisciplinary team meetings: how does it affect the nature and content of communication?Wittenberg-Lyles E, Oliver DP, Kruse RL, Demiris G, Gage LA, Wagner K Health communication (2013)
    9. [9]
      End of life care sedation for children.Kiman R, Wuiloud AC, Requena ML Current opinion in supportive and palliative care (2011)
    10. [10]
      Spiritual feasts: meaningful conversations between hospice volunteers and patients.Planalp S, Trost MR, Berry PH The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2011)
    11. [11]
      Improving medication therapy management through collaborative hospice care in rural Minnesota.Eischens KP, Gilling SW, Okerlund RE, Grund TR, Iverson PS, Schommer JC Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA (2010)
    12. [12]
      Sentimental Journeys Granting hospice patients one last wish.McCallion T JEMS : a journal of emergency medical services (2009)
    13. [13]
    14. [14]
      Understanding enrollment conversations: the role of the hospice admissions representative.Wittenberg-Lyles EM, Thompson S The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2006)
    15. [15]
      Humor in hospice care: who, where, and how much?Adamle KN, Ludwick R The American journal of hospice & palliative care (2005)
    16. [16]
    17. [17]
      A "CALL" for community-focused palliative care.McSkimming S, London MR, Lieberman C, Quinn C, Carney B Care management journals : Journal of case management ; The journal of long term home health care (2004)
    18. [18]
      A day in the life.Johns C Complementary therapies in nursing & midwifery (2003)
    19. [19]
      Issues and dilemmas in conducting research with vulnerable home hospice participants.Dobratz MC Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (2003)
    20. [20]
      Quality care at the end of life in Africa.Sepulveda C, Habiyambere V, Amandua J, Borok M, Kikule E, Mudanga B et al. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2003)
    21. [21]
      Dignity in dying: a preliminary study of patients in the last three days of life.Turner K, Chye R, Aggarwal G, Philip J, Skeels A, Lickiss JN Journal of palliative care (1996)
    22. [22]
      Powerlessness and the hospice client.Wetherbee LL Home healthcare nurse (1995)
    23. [23]
      The role of the physical therapist in hospice care.Ebel S, Langer K The American journal of hospice & palliative care (1993)

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