Pulmonary function tests reveal that an 80-year-old dyspneic patient has an increase in residual volume. A nurse suspects the most likely cause of the increased residual volume is _____ in lung compliance
a. an increase
b. a decrease
c. no change
d. an absence
ANS: A
The patient is experiencing an increase in lung compliance. Increased compliance indicates that the lungs or chest wall is abnormally easy to inflate and has lost some elastic recoil. Decreased compliance is seen in acute breathing disorders.
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