The nurse is caring for an older adult client who is hospitalized with a second episode of pneumonia in the past 18 months. The client has expressed frustration to the nurse and states, "I never got sick when I was younger
Why is this happening?" Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) "As you grow older, your immune system just quits working."
B) "As you grow older, there is a decrease in the immune response, which puts you at greater risk for developing an infection."
C) "As you grow older, there in an overall increase in the speed and strength of your immune response."
D) "As you grow older, there is an increase in the number of B cells in the circulation, which hinders the immune response."
Answer: B
As a person grows older, there is an overall decrease in the speed and strength of the immune response. The immune system does not quit working totally. There is a decrease in the number of B cells in circulation.
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What will be an ideal response?
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a. A b. B c. C d. D
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