A 75-year-old woman is brought to the hospital following sustained burns on her face, arms, and body during cooking. She has no prior medical conditions and takes no medications. Temperature is 37.4 C (99.3 F), blood pressure is 140/84 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 18/min. Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. On examination, the patient is anxious. There are partial- to full-thickness burns involving the lower face, neck, both arms, and anterior chest and abdomen. Which of the following age-related cardiopulmonary changes is most likely to increase this patient's mortality risk?

Question

A 75-year-old woman is brought to the hospital following sustained burns on her face, arms, and body during cooking. She has no prior medical conditions and takes no medications. Temperature is 37.4 C (99.3 F), blood pressure is 140/84 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 18/min.  Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air.  On examination, the patient is anxious.  There are partial- to full-thickness burns involving the lower face, neck, both arms, and anterior chest and abdomen.  Which of the following age-related cardiopulmonary changes is most likely to increase this patient's mortality risk?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Physiologic age-related changes in the cardiopulmonary system can lead to reduced ability to cope with critical illness.  These changes include reduced maximal heart rate and cardiac output due to decreased responsiveness to adrenergic stimuli, reduced retention of arterial blood volume due to decreased arterial compliance, and reduced respiratory strength and gas exchange efficiency.

A 75-Year-Old Woman Is Brought to the Hospital Following Sustained