The nurse is planning care for an elderly patient. The nurse recognizes the patient is at risk for respiratory infections based on which factors?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The elderly are at an increased risk for respiratory infections because of decreased cough reflex, decreased elastic recoil of the lungs, decreased activity of the cilia, and abnormal swallowing reflex. They do not generally have increased sputum production.

The Nurse Is Planning Care for an Elderly Patient