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 A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Serum osmolality 380 mOsm/kg is the expected finding because it is a sign of dehydration, which is a common complication of diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the body does not produce enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is a hormone that helps the kidneys retain water and regulate the fluid balance in the body. A severe traumatic brain injury can damage the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus, which are parts of the brain that produce and secrete ADH. Without enough ADH, the kidneys produce large amounts of diluted urine, which causes the loss of water and electrolytes from the body. This increases the concentration of solutes in the blood, which is measured by the serum osmolality. A normal serum osmolality is between 275 and 295 mOsm/kg, while a high serum osmolality is above 300 mOsm/kg.

Choice B reason: Urine output of 500 mL in 24 hours is not the expected finding because it is a sign of oliguria, which is a low urine output. Oliguria can be caused by various factors, such as dehydration, kidney failure, or urinary obstruction, and can result in symptoms such as fluid retention, swelling, or electrolyte imbalance. Oliguria is not a common finding in diabetes insipidus, because the condition causes polyuria, which is a high urine output. Polyuria can be defined as urine output of more than 3 liters in 24 hours, or more than 200 mL per hour.

Choice C reason: Weight gain of 5 pounds in 48 hours is not the expected finding because it is a sign of fluid overload, which is a condition where the body retains too much fluid, which can cause edema, hypertension, and heart failure. Fluid overload can be caused by various factors, such as heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure, and can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue. Fluid overload is not a common finding in diabetes insipidus, because the condition causes dehydration, which is a loss of fluid from the body. Dehydration can cause weight loss, not weight gain.

Choice D reason: Decreased serum hematocrit levels is not the expected finding because it is a sign of anemia, which 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 be caused by various factors, such as blood loss, iron deficiency, or bone marrow failure, and can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, or pallor. Anemia is not a common finding in diabetes insipidus, because the condition does not affect the production or function of the red blood cells. Diabetes insipidus can cause increased serum hematocrit levels, not decreased, because the loss of water from the body can increase the proportion of red blood cells in the blood.

A. Muscle weakness and motor seizures B. Upper abdominal pain and cramping C. Confusion and agitation D. Periorbital edema and cardiac dysrhythmias

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Muscle weakness and motor seizures are not the most serious complication because they are signs of electrolyte imbalance, not urinary tract infection. Electrolyte imbalance is a condition where the levels of minerals and salts in the blood are too high or too low, which can affect the nerve and muscle function, causing symptoms such as weakness, spasms, or seizures. Electrolyte imbalance can be caused by various factors, such as dehydration, kidney failure, or medications.

Choice B reason: Upper abdominal pain and cramping are not the most serious complication because they are signs of gastritis, not urinary tract infection. Gastritis is a condition where the lining of the stomach is inflamed, causing symptoms such as pain, nausea, or vomiting. Gastritis can be caused by various factors, such as infections, stress, or medications.

Choice C reason: Confusion and agitation are the most serious complication because they are signs of sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition where the body's response to an infection causes widespread inflammation and organ damage. Sepsis can be caused by various types of infections, including urinary tract infection, which is an infection that affects the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. Sepsis can cause symptoms such as confusion, agitation, fever, chills, or shock.

Choice D reason: Periorbital edema and cardiac dysrhythmias are not the most serious complication because they are signs of heart failure, not urinary tract infection. Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, causing symptoms such as swelling, shortness of breath, or irregular heartbeat. Heart failure can be caused by various factors, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or diabetes.

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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?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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