The nurse provides care for an older adult client diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia as a complication of dysphagia. Which statement best explains the increased risk of infection in the older adult population?

Decreased dietary intake of proteins and vegetables

Decreased T cell function and antibody response

Atrophy of the bone marrow and spleen

Impaired absorption of vitamin B12

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Decreased dietary intake of proteins and vegetables is not the best explanation because it is a factor that affects the nutritional status, not the immune system. Nutritional status is important for maintaining the health and function of the body, but it does not directly cause an increased risk of infection. Proteins and vegetables are sources of essential nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, that support the growth and repair of the tissues and the prevention of oxidative stress.

Choice B reason: Decreased T cell function and antibody response is the best explanation because it is a factor that affects the immune system, which is the body's defense mechanism against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The immune system consists of two main components: the innate immunity and the adaptive immunity. The innate immunity is the first line of defense that provides a general and rapid response to any potential threat. The adaptive immunity is the second line of defense that provides a specific and long-lasting response to a particular antigen. T cells and antibodies are part of the adaptive immunity, which recognizes and remembers the antigens that have previously infected the body and eliminates them more efficiently. However, as people age, the T cell function and the antibody response decline, making the older adults more susceptible to infections, especially those that are new or unfamiliar to the body.

Choice C reason: Atrophy of the bone marrow and spleen is not the best explanation because it is a factor that affects the production and storage of immune cells, not the function and response. The bone marrow is the soft tissue inside the bones that produces the blood cells, including the white blood cells, which are the main components of the immune system. The spleen is an organ that filters the blood and removes the old or damaged blood cells, as well as stores some of the white blood cells and platelets. As people age, the bone marrow and the spleen shrink and lose some of their ability to produce and store the immune cells, which can reduce the number and diversity of the immune cells available to fight infections. However, this does not necessarily affect the function and response of the immune cells that are already circulating in the blood.

Choice D reason: Impaired absorption of vitamin B12 is not the best explanation because it is a factor that affects the nervous system and the blood cells, not the immune system. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the synthesis of DNA, the maintenance of the myelin sheath, and the formation of red blood cells. As people age, the absorption of vitamin B12 decreases due to the reduced secretion of stomach acid and intrinsic factor, which are needed to break down and bind to the vitamin B12 in the food. This can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, memory loss, and anemia. Anemia is a condition where the blood has a low level of hemoglobin, which is the protein that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Anemia can affect the oxygen delivery to the tissues, but it does not directly cause an increased risk of infection.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of alkalosis, not acidosis. Alkalosis is a condition where the blood has a high pH, which means that it is too basic or alkaline. Alkalosis can cause numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes due to hypocalcemia, which is a low level of calcium in the blood, or hypokalemia, which is a low level of potassium in the blood. Both conditions can affect the nerve and muscle function, causing paresthesia, which is an abnormal sensation of the skin.

Choice B reason: A diffuse headache described as "throbbing" is the expected finding because it is a sign of acidosis, which is a condition where the blood has a low pH, which means that it is too acidic. Acidosis can cause a diffuse headache described as "throbbing" due to vasodilation, which is the widening of the blood vessels, especially in the brain. Vasodilation can increase the blood flow and the pressure in the head, causing pain and discomfort.

Choice C reason: Flushed skin that is warm to the touch is not the expected finding because it is a sign of fever, not salicylate toxicity. Fever is a condition where the body temperature is higher than normal, usually due to an infection or inflammation. Fever can cause flushed skin that is warm to the touch due to increased blood flow to the skin, which helps to dissipate the excess heat.

Choice D reason: Decreased muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes is not the expected finding because it is a sign of neuromuscular blockade, not salicylate toxicity. Neuromuscular blockade is a condition where the communication between the nerves and the muscles is impaired, causing paralysis or weakness. Neuromuscular blockade can be caused by various factors, such as medications, toxins, or diseases, that interfere with the transmission of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that stimulates the muscle contraction.

A. Colon cancer B. Crohn disease C. Lactase deficiency D. Irritable bowel syndrome

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Colon cancer is the most likely disorder that the client is at risk to develop because it is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine, which is the part of the digestive tract that absorbs water and forms stool. Colon cancer can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, diet, or inflammation. Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum, which are the last parts of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis can increase the risk of colon cancer by causing DNA damage and abnormal cell growth in the colon.

Choice B reason: Crohn disease is not the most likely disorder that the client is at risk to develop because it is a different type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and damage in any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn disease can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, immune system, or bacteria. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease have some similar symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or weight loss, but they are not the same condition and do not increase the risk of each other.

Choice C reason: Lactase deficiency is not the most likely disorder that the client is at risk to develop because it is a condition where the body does not produce enough lactase, which is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, which is a sugar that is found in milk and dairy products. Lactase deficiency can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, or diarrhea after consuming lactose. Lactase deficiency can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, age, or intestinal injury. Ulcerative colitis does not affect the production of lactase, but it can cause lactose intolerance, which is a condition where the body cannot digest lactose properly due to the inflammation and damage of the colon.

Choice D reason: Irritable bowel syndrome is not the most likely disorder that the client is at risk to develop because it is a functional disorder that affects the movement and sensitivity of the bowel, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, or constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, food, or hormones. Irritable bowel syndrome does not cause inflammation or damage to the bowel, unlike ulcerative colitis, and it does not increase the risk of colon cancer.

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The nurse provides care for an older adult client diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia as a complication of dysphagia. Which statement best explains the increased risk of infection in the older adult population?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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