The nurse is caring for an 80-year-old client preparing for surgery.The nurse realizes this client is at increased risk for which reason?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The physiological deficits of aging increase the surgical risk for older adults. As a person ages, certain body systems commonly undergo changes that can make surgical procedures riskier. For instance, older adults may have decreased elasticity in their lung tissue, which can impair their ability to breathe deep enough to prevent pneumonia after surgery. They may also have a slower metabolic rate, which can impair the healing process. Additionally, the older adult may have other health conditions such as heart or lung disease that can further increase their risk during surgery.

The Nurse Is Caring for an 80-Year-Old Client Preparing for Surgery.The