ATI Learning System Gerontology practice quiz w/rationales with 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Updated 2024

ATI Learning System Gerontology practice quiz w/rationales with 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Updated 2024 A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has pneumonia. Which of the following physiologic changes associated with aging places the client at a greater risk for pneumonia? A. Decreased anterior-posterior diameter B. Increased diameter of the small airways C. Decreased number of cilia D. Increased alveolar surface area C. Decreased number of cilia Decreased anterior-posterior diameterA physiologic change associated with aging is a calcification of the bronchial and costal (rib) cartilage and diminished chest wall compliance, leading to an increase in the anterior-posterior diameter. The resultant reduced total lung capacity puts the client at increased risk for hypoxemia. Increased diameter of the small airwaysA physiologic change associated with aging is a decreased diameter of the small airways. However, the diameter of the large airways does increase with age, and these two factors combined can lead to an increase in dead space, gas trapping, and ventilation-perfusion imbalance. Decreased number of ciliaMY ANSWERA physiologic change associated with aging is a decreased number of cilia. This, along with a less effective cough, leads to diminished efficiency of the normal defense mechanisms for clearing the airway, putting the client at increased risk for infection, such as pneumonia.