An obese 85-year-old client, who is an avid gardener and eats only home-grown fruits, legumes, and vegetables, is admitted to the hospital with pneumonia after having an upper respiratory tract infection for a week. Which factor puts the client at greatest risk for developing pneumonia?
| Risk factor |
Consequence |
| Advanced age (>65) |
• Coexisting diseases
• Decreased gag & cough reflex
• Decreased immune response & lung function |
| Young age (<2) |
• Immature immune system |
• Central nervous system depression
• Decreased level of consciousness |
• Aspiration of oropharyngeal contents
• Decreased cough & epiglottal reflexes |
• Chronic disease (cardiovascular, pulmonary)
• Immunosuppression
• Inadequate nutrition |
• Compromised immune system & impaired ability to fight infection |
• Prolonged immobility
• Smoking & air pollution
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Tracheal intubation |
• Impaired mucociliary clearance |
Pneumonia is an inflammatory process in the alveoli and interstitium of the lung usually caused by an infectious or noninfectious agent. Any condition, such as advanced age (>65), that compromises the respiratory system's protective mechanical or immune mechanisms to maintain the sterility of the lower airway can increase the risk for pneumonia. (Options 2, 3, and 4) Working in the garden and being exposed to environmental factors (eg, pollen), eating a vegetarian diet, and obesity do not pose the greatest risks for development of pneumonia.
| Risk factor |
Consequence |
| Advanced age (>65) |
• Coexisting diseases
• Decreased gag & cough reflex
• Decreased immune response & lung function |
| Young age (<2) |
• Immature immune system |
• Central nervous system depression
• Decreased level of consciousness |
• Aspiration of oropharyngeal contents
• Decreased cough & epiglottal reflexes |
• Chronic disease (cardiovascular, pulmonary)
• Immunosuppression
• Inadequate nutrition |
• Compromised immune system & impaired ability to fight infection |
• Prolonged immobility
• Smoking & air pollution
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Tracheal intubation |
• Impaired mucociliary clearance |
Pneumonia is an inflammatory process in the alveoli and interstitium of the lung usually caused by an infectious or noninfectious agent. Any condition, such as advanced age (>65), that compromises the respiratory system's protective mechanical or immune mechanisms to maintain the sterility of the lower airway can increase the risk for pneumonia. (Options 2, 3, and 4) Working in the garden and being exposed to environmental factors (eg, pollen), eating a vegetarian diet, and obesity do not pose the greatest risks for development of pneumonia.
