Final answer:
In medical coding, pneumonia should be coded first, followed by the identified organism. Agents causing pneumonia include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Identification of the precise pathogen determines the appropriate treatment approach.
Step-by-step explanation:
When coding a diagnosis of pneumonia, it's important to specify the organism responsible if it's known. Typically, the coding guidelines advise that the code for the type of pneumonia should be recorded first, followed by an additional code for the identified organism if it's documented. This helps to ensure a more complete description of the patient's diagnosis for medical records and billing purposes.
Infectious agents that are known to cause pneumonia include bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, viruses, and in some cases fungi or other microorganisms. For patients like Barbara, whose condition did not improve after treatment with amoxicillin, alternative causes such as viral or fungal infections or antibiotic-resistant bacteria should be considered. Appropriate tests such as sputum cultures can help to identify the cause of pneumonia, which will guide the selection of an effective treatment.
For example, if the pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, as in Camila's case, a suitable antibiotic would typically be effective. However, in cases of health care-associated infections where patients are at higher risk and may be exposed to opportunistic bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, a different or a combination of antibiotics may be necessary.