The elderly patient's daughter asks why her father seems to be catching so many colds. Which response by the nurse is the best?
a. "After the age of 60, the plasma volume decreases so there is less infection fighting ability."
b. "Bone marrow activity decreases by about 50% with aging, which lowers the immune response to infection."
c. "The elderly person's blood is more prone to clotting, so infection-fighting cells don't get to the source of infection quick-ly."
d. "His antibody response to vaccines is overactive."
B
The elderly patient is more prone to infection due to the decrease in bone marrow activity, which in turn reduces the immune response. Plasma volume does decrease after age 60, but the concern is decreased blood reserve volume in case of blood loss, not infection. The older adult's blood is more prone to clotting due to platelet aggregation and alterations in clotting activity; this in-creases the risk for problems related to thrombosis, not infection. Lastly, the older adult's anti-body response to vaccines is decreased.
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When paramedics notice singed hairs in the nose of a burn patient, it is recommended that the patient be intubated. What is the reasoning for the immediate intubation?
a. Carbon monoxide poisoning always occurs when soot is visible. b. Inhalation injury above the glottis may cause significant edema that obstructs the airway. c. The patient will have a copious amount of mucus that will need to be suctioned. d. The singed hairs and soot in the nostrils will cause dysfunction of cilia in the airways.
Prior to administering the preoperative medication of Demerol and atropine, the nurse should confirm that:
a. a family member is present. b. underwear is removed. c. a consent form is signed. d. bed rails are up.
Which changes during pregnancy account for the waddling gait?
1) Lordosis compensating for enlarging fetus 2) Kyphosis compensating for lordosis 3) Increased mobility in the sacroiliac, sacrococcygeal, and symphysis pubis joints 4) Pressure on the ulnar and median nerves creating aching, numbness, and weakness
After teaching a woman who has had an evacuation for a hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy. about her condition, which of the following statements indicates that the nurse's teaching was successful?
A) "I will be sure to avoid getting pregnant for at least 1 year." B) "My intake of iron will have to be closely monitored for 6 months." C) "My blood pressure will continue to be increased for about 6 more months." D) "I won't use my birth control pills for at least a year or two."