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
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Uric acid is the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the blood has a high level of uric acid, which is a waste product that results from the breakdown of purines, which are substances found in some foods and drinks, such as meat, seafood, and beer. Uric acid can form crystals in the joints, causing inflammation and pain, which is known as gout. Uric acid can also form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are hard deposits of minerals and salts that can block the urinary tract and cause symptoms such as severe pain, blood in the urine, nausea, and fever.
Choice B reason: Struvite is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of ammonia, which is a chemical that results from the breakdown of urea, which is a waste product that is produced by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Ammonia can form crystals in the urine, along with magnesium, phosphate, and carbonate, creating struvite stones, which are large and staghorn-shaped stones that can fill the entire kidney or the ureter. Struvite stones are usually associated with urinary tract infections, which are caused by bacteria that produce enzymes that increase the urine pH and the ammonia level.
Choice C reason: Cystine is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of cystine, which is an amino acid that is a building block of proteins. Cystine can form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are rare and hereditary. Cystine stones are caused by a genetic disorder that affects the transport of cystine and other amino acids in the kidneys, resulting in excessive excretion of cystine in the urine.
Choice D reason: Calcium oxalate is not the most common type of renal calculi in clients with gout because it is a condition where the urine has a high level of calcium and oxalate, which are substances that are normally present in the diet and the body. Calcium and oxalate can form crystals in the urine, causing kidney stones, which are the most common type of kidney stones in the general population, but not in clients with gout. Calcium oxalate stones can be caused by various factors, such as dehydration, high intake of animal protein, low intake of fluids, and certain medications.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Herpes simplex 2 virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of herpes virus that causes genital herpes. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that causes painful blisters and ulcers in the genital area.
Choice B reason: Epstein-Barr virus is the best explanation for the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis. Epstein-Barr virus is a type of herpes virus that infects the B lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cells. It causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono or the kissing disease, which is a common infection that causes fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.
Choice C reason: Hepatitis C virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of virus that causes hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection that affects the liver. It causes inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis of the liver, which may lead to liver failure or cancer.
Choice D reason: Rubella virus is not the microorganism that causes infectious mononucleosis, but a different type of virus that causes rubella. Rubella, also known as German measles, is a mild infection that causes a rash, fever, and swollen glands. It is preventable by vaccination and can be dangerous for pregnant women, as it may cause birth defects or miscarriage.
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