The Nurse Needs to Closely Monitor the Oxygen Status of an Elderly

question 11

Multiple Choice

The nurse needs to closely monitor the oxygen status of an elderly patient undergoing anesthesia because of which age-related change?

• A) Decreased lung defense mechanisms may cause ineffective airway clearance.
• B) Thickening of the heart muscle wall decreases cardiac output.
• C) Decreased lung capacity makes proper anesthesia induction more difficult.
• D) Alterations in mental status prevent patients' awareness of ineffective breathing.

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Definitions:

NREM Sleep

Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep, which is characterized by slower brain waves and is considered restorative sleep.

Delta Waves

Slow brain waves typically associated with deep sleep and certain states of brain activity.

Slow Brain Waves

Brain waves, such as delta and theta waves, associated with deep relaxation, meditation, and stages of sleep.

Sleep Apnea

A disorder in which breathing briefly stops during sleep, causing the person to choke and gasp and momentarily awaken.