A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse about physiological changes in the digestive system that occur with aging. The nurse should include that older adults might experience which of the following physiological changes?

Choice A reason: While bananas are well-known for their potassium content, with one medium banana containing about 451 mg of potassium, they are not the highest source among the options given.

Choice B reason: Spinach is also a good source of potassium, with 1 cup of cooked spinach offering about 830 mg. However, it still does not surpass the potassium content of a baked potato.

Choice C reason: Avocados contain potassium, with one-half cup providing 364 mg. Despite their health benefits,
they have less potassium compared to a baked potato.

Choice D reason: Baked potatoes contain the highest amount of potassium among the options listed. One medium baked potato has 929 mg of potassium, making it the best choice for someone at risk for hypokalemia.

Choice A reason: A pleural friction rub is associated with conditions that cause pleural inflammation, such as pleuritis or pneumonia, rather than Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). While patients with COPD may experience other abnormal lung sounds like wheezing or crackles, pleural friction rubs are not typically a feature of COPD.

Choice B reason: Peripheral edema is a common finding in clients with advanced COPD, particularly in those who develop right-sided heart failure (also known as cor pulmonale). The prolonged hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension that often accompany COPD can put additional strain on the right side of the heart, leading to fluid retention and swelling in the extremities. This is a typical finding in later stages of COPD.

Choice C reason: Spoon nails (koilonychia) are typically associated with iron deficiency anemia or other conditions affecting the circulatory system. Although COPD is a chronic respiratory condition that can impact oxygenation, spoon nails are not commonly associated with COPD. This condition is more commonly seen in anemia or other nutritional deficiencies.

Choice D reason:

Hyperresonance on percussion is a typical finding in COPD, especially in those with emphysema, where air trapping occurs. This is due to the destruction of lung tissue and the over-inflation of alveoli, which creates a more resonant sound when the chest is percussed. This finding indicates the presence of hyperinflated lungs, a hallmark of emphysema and a common component of COPD.