Age-related physiologic changes the nurse would consider when planning care for an elderly client admitted with an acid-base abnormality include (Select all that apply)
a. decreased pulmonary and renal function limit the ability to compensate.
b. hypermetabolism predisposes the elderly to metabolic acidosis.
c. hypoventilation can easily cause respiratory acidosis in the elderly.
d. renal perfusion is diminished because of decreased cardiac output.
e. there is decreased alveolar surface area for gas exchange.
A, C, D, E
Many age-related physiologic changes limit the client's ability to compensate for acid-base dis-turbances, including options a, c, d, and e above, plus the fact that the elderly take more medica-tions that can contribute to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Aldosterone is also less effec-tive in older persons, as is ammonia buffering. The elderly are not hypermetabolic.
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