An Older Patient Has Been Hospitalized Twice in One Year

Multiple Choice

An older patient has been hospitalized twice in one year for a lung infection. How should the nurse describe the relationship between aging and risk of infection?

A) "With aging, the immune system diminishes and then stops working."
B) "With aging, there is an overall increase in the speed of the immune response."
C) "With aging, there is an increase in the number of B cells, which hinders the immune response."
D) "With aging, there is a decrease in the strength of the immune system, increasing the risk for infection."