The nurse is concerned about an 80-year-old patient's respiratory status. Which of the following would be cause for this concern?
1. increase in total lung surface area
2. increase in gas exchange efficiency
3. increase in alveolar-capillary membrane thickness
4. decrease in dead space ventilation
3
Rationale: As a person ages, the alveolar–capillary membrane thickness increases, total lung surface area decreases, and alveoli are destroyed because of aging processes. These changes result in decreased diffusion across the alveolar–capillary membrane, altering the ventilation–perfusion relationship. Gas exchange becomes less efficient, placing the high acuity older patient at risk for hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia problems. Over time, the airways become larger, increasing dead space ventilation and terminal airways lose supportive structures, which can result in air trapping. Both of these physiologic changes can lead to carbon dioxide retention.
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A nursing instructor is developing a lesson plan to teach about domestic violence. Which information should be included?
1. Power and control are central to the dynamic of domestic violence. 2. Poor communication and social isolation are central to the dynamic of domestic violence. 3. Erratic relationships and vulnerability are central to the dynamic of domestic violence. 4. Emotional injury and learned helplessness are central to the dynamic of domestic violence.
Which of the following statements is a myth associated with aging?
a. The majority of older adults live above the poverty level. b. Most older adults live either in a family set-ting or within 30 minutes of a child. c. Senility is an expected result of aging. d. Older adults are sexually active.
After a severe tornado hit the center of town, the American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter. The Emergency Operations Center was established. What would
a nurse member of the Disaster Action Team probably be asked to do? Select all that apply. A. Debrief all the professionals assisting at the shelter. B. Establish a personal family disaster response plan. C. Appear on the local radio and TV stations to exhort citizens to stay calm, because help is on the way. D. Ride in a helicopter and assess the amount of damage done to the community. E. Meet everyone who comes to the shelter, assign them a space, and give them emotional support. F. Triage injured people, set up morgue facilities, and help with immediate first aid.
Small flat haemangiomas or ‘stork bites' seen in the newborn may be expected to:
a. become much lighter in colour and/or disappear during infancy. b. become darker and grow as the child grows. c. remain about the same throughout the child's life. d. become lighter in colour in several weeks.