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 D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Shallow respirations and a smooth, beefy red tongue are not the expected findings because they are signs of pernicious anemia, not acute blood loss. Pernicious anemia is a condition where the body cannot produce enough red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12, which is needed for DNA synthesis and cell division. Pernicious anemia can cause shallow respirations due to hypoxia, which is a low level of oxygen in the tissues, and a smooth, beefy red tongue due to atrophy of the tongue papillae, which are the small projections that give the tongue its rough texture.

Choice B reason: Facial flushing with distended neck veins are not the expected findings because they are signs of polycythemia, not acute blood loss. Polycythemia is a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells, which increases the blood volume and the blood viscosity, making the blood thicker and harder to flow. Polycythemia can cause facial flushing due to increased blood flow to the skin, and distended neck veins due to increased pressure in the venous system.

Choice C reason: Bilateral numbness and tingling of the extremities are not the expected findings because they are signs of peripheral neuropathy, not acute blood loss. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where the nerves that carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body are damaged or impaired, causing sensory and motor disturbances. Peripheral neuropathy can cause bilateral numbness and tingling of the extremities due to reduced nerve conduction and sensation.

Choice D reason: Increased heart rate and decreased mental alertness are the expected findings because they are signs of acute blood loss. Acute blood loss is a condition where the body loses a large amount of blood in a short period of time, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and the tissue perfusion. Acute blood loss can cause increased heart rate due to the compensatory mechanism of the body to increase the cardiac output and maintain the blood pressure, and decreased mental alertness due to the reduced oxygen delivery to the brain.

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?

Nursing Test Bank

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Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

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