Upon completion of the chapter, the reader will be able to:
1. List the common pathogens that cause community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), aspiration pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP; early versus late onset), and health care–associated pneumonia.
2. Explain the host defenses that protect against infection.
3. Explain the pathophysiology of pneumonia.
4. Recognize the signs and symptoms associated with CAP and VAP.
5. Identify patient and organism factors required to guide the selection of a specific antimicrobial regimen for an individual patient.
6. Design an appropriate empirical antimicrobial regimen based on patient-specific data for an individual with CAP, aspiration pneumonia, and VAP or health care–associated pneumonia (early versus late onset).
7. Design an appropriate antimicrobial regimen based on both patient- and organism-specific data.
8. Develop a monitoring plan based on patient-specific information for a patient with CAP and healthcare–associated pneumonia or VAP.
9. Formulate appropriate educational information to be provided to a patient with pneumonia.
