Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 42

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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?

  

     A. Increased elastic recoil of the lungs

     B. Increased number of functional capillaries in the alveoli

     C. Decreased residual volume

     D. Decreased vital capacity

    

    

Correct Answer: D. Decreased vital capacity

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Reduction in vital capacity is a normal physiologic change including decreased elastic recoil of the lungs, fewer functional capillaries in the alveoli, and an increase in residual volume.

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Option A: Elastic recoil in the lungs of the elderly are decreased. There is homogenous degeneration of the elastic fibers around the alveolar duct starting around 0 years of age resulting in enlargement of air spaces.

Option B: There are fewer functional capillaries in the alveoli as one ages. The alveoli can lose their shape and become baggy.

Option C: Decreases in the measures of lung function such as the vital capacity occurs as part of the age-related changes.

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