The nurse is working at a state fair in the health screening booth. The nurse determines that which client demonstrates the decline in responsiveness of the immune system of an older adult?

Question

1. A 78-year-old client with pneumonia has a temperature of 99.5°F
2. A 68-year-old client who complains of redness and itching after developing a rash from contact with poison ivy
3. An 80-year-old client who has swelling and redness around an abdominal incision from an open appendectomy
4. A 66-year-old client who has 8 mm induration at the site of a mumps skin test 72 hours earlier

Answer 1

1. A 78-year-old client with pneumonia has a temperature of 99.5°F

Rationale:
The client who has only a slight elevation in temperature in response to pneumonia is an example of a decline in the expected immune response. The other clients are demonstrating an expected immune response as evidenced by redness, swelling, and induration.