Deck 24: Aging and the Cardiopulmonary System

Question 1

The ventilatory response to hypercapnia and hypoxia decreases to approximately which level in subjects age 64 years and older?

A) 30%
B) 40%
C) 50%
D) 60%

Answer 1

50%

Question 2

Which of the following are the major age-related impairments seen in the cardiovascular system?
I.Increased vascular resistance
II.Reduced response to beta-adrenergic stimulation
III.Hampered ventricular relaxation
IV.Decreased vascular resistance

A) I, II, III
B) II, III, IV
C) I, III
D) I, IV

Answer 2

I, II, III

Question 3

Which of the following structural changes are consistent with aging?
I.The chest wall becomes more compliant.
II.The chest wall becomes less compliant.
III.The lungs become more compliant.
IV.The lungs become less compliant.

A) I, II
B) I, III, IV
C) I, II, III, IV
D) II, III

Answer 3

II, III

Question 4

Which of the following is the most important physiological change in myocardial function?

A) Decrease in valvular function
B) Decline in ventricular filling
C) Decline in atrial filling
D) Reduction of sinus node pacemaker cells

Question 5

Which of the following are the major adaptations to impairments in the cardiovascular system?
I.Left ventricular hypertrophy
II.Increased heart rate
III.Increased atrial contribution to diastolic filling
IV.Decreased vascular resistance

A) I, II, III
B) II, III, IV
C) I, III
D) I, IV

Question 6

What is the renal function of a healthy 70-year-old in comparison with that of a 30-year-old?

A) Approximately 50%
B) Approximately 40%
C) Approximately 30%
D) Approximately 20%

Question 7

Which of the following is the most consistent effect of aging observed during moderate and heavy exercise?

A) Decreased VT
B) Increased RV
C) Decreased FVC
D) Expiratory flow limitation

Question 8

Which of the following statements are true of FEV₁?
I.The FEV₁ decreases approximately 30 mL per year after the age of 25 years.
II.Habitual physical exercise and high aerobic capacity slow the normal deterioration in lung function.
III.Cigarette smoking accelerates the deterioration of lung function.
IV.Smoking cessation normalizes lung function.

A) I, II
B) I, III
C) I, II, III, IV
D) I, II, IV

Question 9

Which of the following is the best explanation for the reduction in heart rate with aging?

A) Decrease in valvular function
B) Decline in ventricular filling
C) Decline in atrial filling
D) Reduction of sinus node pacemaker cells

Question 10

What is the lung function of a healthy 70-year-old in comparison with that of a 30-year-old?

A) Approximately 50%
B) Approximately 40%
C) Approximately 30%
D) Approximately 20%

Question 11

Which of the following is the most common cause of dehydration in the frail elderly?

A) Diuretic therapy
B) Diarrhea
C) Vomiting
D) Decreased fluid intake

Question 12

Which is the fastest-growing age group in the United States, as well as the world?

A) Those age 80 years and older
B) Those age 85 years and older
C) Those age 90 years and older
D) Those age 95 years and older

Question 13

To which of the following conditions are the elderly prone after a large meal, in conjunction with diarrhea, or during diuretic therapy?

A) Heart attack
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Postural hypotension
D) Acid-peptic disease

Question 14

Which of the following functional changes are consistent with aging?
I.Loss of elastic tissue
II.Loss of alveolar complexity
III.Decreased gas exchange
IV.Decreased surface area

A) I, II
B) I, III, IV
C) I, II, III, IV
D) II, III

Question 15

What happens to heart mass between ages 25 and 80 years?

A) It increases gradually.
B) It decreases gradually.
C) It remains the same.
D) It increases only with cardiovascular disease.

Question 16

Which of the following statements are true of changes in airway clearance mechanisms in older patients?
I.Inflammatory responses decrease.
II.Mucociliary clearance rates are faster.
III.Humoral and cell-mediated immunity decreases.
IV.Respiratory muscles are weakened.

A) I, III, IV
B) II, IV
C) II, III, IV
D) I, II, III, IV

Question 17

Which of the following are respiratory structural changes associated with aging?
I.The chest wall progressively stiffens.
II.Tidal volume increases.
III.Vertebral column deformities produce some degree of kyphoscoliosis.
IV.Intercostal and diaphragmatic muscles atrophy.

A) I, II
B) I, III, IV
C) I, II, III, IV
D) II, III

Question 18

What percentage of the U.S.population is 65 years old or older?

A) 6%
B) 8%
C) 10%
D) 12%