Which of the following is a true statement about heart disease in Kenya?

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer because baroreceptor function diminishes with age, and this can affect the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate. Baroreceptors are sensory receptors that detect changes in blood pressure and send signals to the brain to adjust the heart rate and blood vessel tone accordingly. When a person exercises, the blood pressure and heart rate increase to meet the increased oxygen demand of the muscles. When a person stops exercising, the blood pressure and heart rate should decrease gradually to return to the resting state. However, if a person does not cool down properly after exercising, the blood pressure and heart rate can drop suddenly, causing dizziness, fainting, or cardiac arrhythmias. This is especially true for older adults, whose baroreceptors are less sensitive and responsive to blood pressure changes. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the older man to cool down after exercising to prevent these complications.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because sensory perception diminishes with age, but this is not related to the importance of cooling down after exercising. Sensory perception is the ability to perceive stimuli from the environment, such as sight, hearing, touch, smell, or taste. Sensory perception can decline with age due to various factors, such as age-related changes in the sensory organs, nerve damage, or diseases. This can affect the quality of life, communication, and safety of older adults, but it does not explain why cooling down after exercising is important.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because cardiac output diminishes with age, but this is not related to the importance of cooling down after exercising. Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and it depends on the heart rate and the stroke volume. Cardiac output can decline with age due to various factors, such as age-related changes in the heart muscle, valves, or arteries, or diseases. This can affect the ability of the heart to meet the oxygen demand of the body, especially during exercise, but it does not explain why cooling down after exercising is important.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect because mobility capacity decreases with age, but this is not related to the importance of cooling down after exercising. Mobility capacity is the ability to move and perform physical activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or lifting objects. Mobility capacity can decrease with age due to various factors, such as age-related changes in the muscles, bones, or joints, or diseases. This can affect the functional status, independence, and well-being of older adults, but it does not explain why cooling down after exercising is important.

Choice A reason: Avoiding sick people and washing hands is the most important client teaching for the nurse to include for the prevention of hospitalizations for exacerbations of COPD, as it can reduce the exposure to respiratory infections, which are the main cause of COPD exacerbations. The nurse would advise the older adult to stay away from people who have colds, flu, or other contagious illnesses, and to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Choice B reason: Using low-flow oxygen for dyspnea is a possible client teaching for the nurse to include for the prevention of hospitalizations for exacerbations of COPD, but it is not the most important one, as it depends on the severity of the condition and the oxygen saturation level of the patient. The nurse would advise the older adult to use oxygen therapy as prescribed by their doctor, and to monitor their oxygen level with a pulse oximeter.

Choice C reason: Easing breathing by sitting upright is a helpful client teaching for the nurse to include for the prevention of hospitalizations for exacerbations of COPD, but it is not the most important one, as it is a supportive measure that does not address the underlying cause of the exacerbation. The nurse would advise the older adult to sit upright or lean forward when they have difficulty breathing, and to use pursed-lip breathing or abdominal breathing techniques.

Choice D reason: Eating nutrient- and calorie-dense foods is a beneficial client teaching for the nurse to include for the prevention of hospitalizations for exacerbations of COPD, but it is not the most important one, as it is a long-term strategy that does not prevent the immediate risk of exacerbation. The nurse would advise the older adult to eat a balanced diet that provides enough protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and to avoid foods that can cause gas, bloating, or reflux.