A nurse is caring for an 83-year-old client who asks for a warm blanket despite the room temperature being 80°F. The nurse understands that which of the following physiological changes experienced by older adults makes it more difficult for them maintain their body temperature?

A. Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. While corticosteroids are sometimes used in critical care settings, they are not specifically used to prevent stress ulcers. In fact, corticosteroids can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and may require additional measures to protect the stomach lining.
B. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) used primarily for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). It works as an anticoagulant, preventing blood clots. While enoxaparin is important for preventing thromboembolic events in critically ill patients, it does not specifically address the prevention of stress ulcers.
C. Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid production by inhibiting the proton pumps in the stomach lining. PPIs are commonly used to prevent and treat stress ulcers because they help decrease gastric acid secretion, thereby reducing the risk of ulcer formation and bleeding. This makes pantoprazole the appropriate medication to administer to prevent physiologic stress ulcers in a patient with sepsis on a ventilator.
D. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for pain relief and inflammation. NSAIDs can actually increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration, especially in critically ill patients.

A. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is not a contagious disease. It is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. GBS is not spread through respiratory droplets or any other form of infection transmission.
B. Guillain-Barre Syndrome causes demyelination in the peripheral nervous system, not the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, whereas the peripheral nervous system comprises the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
C. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is not a genetic disorder. It is considered an autoimmune condition that can be triggered by an infection or other environmental factors. While there may be genetic predispositions that affect susceptibility to autoimmune conditions, GBS itself is not classified as a genetic disorder.
D. Guillain-Barre Syndrome primarily affects the peripheral nervous system. It involves an immune- mediated attack on the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, tingling, and loss of reflexes.