A 77-year-old male client is admitted for elective knee surgery. Physical examination reveals shallow respirations but no sign of respiratory distress. Which of the following is a normal physiologic change related to aging?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreased vital capacity. As individuals age, their vital capacity decreases due to a combination of factors such as reduced lung elasticity, weaker respiratory muscles, and decreased lung compliance. This results in a reduced ability to take deep breaths and expel air efficiently. Shallow respirations in the absence of distress indicate a normal physiological change in this elderly client. A: Increased elastic recoil of the lungs is incorrect as aging leads to decreased lung elasticity. B: Increased number of functional capillaries in the alveoli is incorrect as capillary density in the lungs tends to decrease with age. C: Decreased residual volume is incorrect as residual volume typically increases with age due to reduced lung elasticity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because knowing the client's current health promotion activities will provide insight into their proactive approach to health and potential risk factors. This information is crucial for planning care tailored to the client's current lifestyle and needs. Choices A, C, and D are less relevant for immediate care planning as general health over the last 10 years may not reflect the current status, family history may not directly impact the client's current health, and marital status is not as significant as the client's proactive health behaviors.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Crowd red blood cells. White blood cells (WBC) can crowd out red blood cells in conditions like leukemia, leading to anemia. This happens because the excess WBC takes up space in the bone marrow where red blood cells are produced, reducing their numbers. This directly contributes to anemia. Choice B is incorrect because WBC can indeed contribute to anemia by crowding out red blood cells. Choice C is incorrect as WBC do not utilize nutrients from other cells in a way that directly causes anemia. Choice D is incorrect as WBC typically have a normal life span and their impact on anemia is due to crowding out red blood cells rather than having a short life span.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lung cancer. Lung cancer causes the most deaths in women due to factors such as late diagnosis, aggressive nature, and high mortality rate. It is often linked to smoking, which is a major risk factor. Breast cancer, although common, has a higher survival rate compared to lung cancer. Brain cancer and colon and rectal cancer, while serious, do not account for as many deaths in women as lung cancer does.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because joint flexion of less than 50% indicates limited range of motion, which can affect the success and safety of arthroscopy. Limited flexion may hinder the surgeon's ability to maneuver instruments inside the joint. Joint pain (choice A) is a common reason for arthroscopy, not a contraindication. Joint deformity (choice B) may also be a reason for arthroscopy, not a contraindication. Joint stiffness (choice D) can be addressed during arthroscopy, so it is not a contraindication.