An older patient tells the nurse that he does not understand why she is getting infections now since she never had the problem before. Which of the following is the nurse's best response to this patient?
1. The immune system gets weaker as we age.
2. Have you changed your personal grooming habits?
3. It always happens when people have chronic diseases.
4. It's because of a poor diet.
The immune system gets weaker as we age.
Rationale: As people age, the immune system weakens as a result of decreasing thymus gland function. The nurse should not assume that the patient has changed her personal grooming habits. The nurse should also not assume that the patient has a chronic disease. A poor diet can contribute to a weakened immune system, but the nurse should not assume that the patient's diet is poor.
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Fill in the blank with correct word.
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