A 70-year-old woman has participated in a long-term aging study for the past 30 years. Her medical history is significant for osteoporosis, and the steady loss of vertebral body height has led to a mild case of kyphosis. She has no extra medical conditions and is otherwise healthy and active. She doesn't smoke. Which of the following modifications to her physiology test from years ago is more compatible with natural aging?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: During typical aging, the human respiratory system experiences major alterations. Due to changes in lung, chest wall, and overall respiratory system compliance, breathing mechanics are compromised:
A noticeable increase in dead space ventilation also takes place while these mechanical modifications take place. After early adulthood, when the bronchial tree reaches complete maturity, anatomic dead space (from the nasopharynx to the terminal bronchioles) remains constant, while alveolar dead space increases with age because of gradual elastin degeneration, alveolar simplicity, and capillary dropout.
The ultimate effect is a respiratory system that is mechanically less advantageous (lower compliance) and must deal with more dead space. The efficiency of breathing (ventilation per unit of work) continuously decreases as more breathing effort is needed to maintain the same alveolar minute ventilation.

A 70-Year-Old Woman Has Participated in a Long-Term Aging Study