Aging and the Cardiopulmonary System Quiz

At what age does the growth and development of lungs essentially complete?

• Around 40 years

• Around 30 years

• Around 50 years

• Around 20 years

What happens to the elastic recoil of lungs with aging?

• It increases

• It remains the same

• It decreases

• It fluctuates

What is the term used to describe the ability of the lungs to stretch and expand?

• Compliance

• Elasticity

• Resilience

• Flexibility

What structural changes occur in the alveoli with aging?

• They remain the same

• They multiply and shrink

• They become smaller and rigid

• They deteriorate and enlarge

What happens to the lung volumes and capacities with aging?

• They decrease

• They increase

• They remain the same

• They fluctuate

What is the main reason for the increase in alveolar dead space ventilation with aging?

• Decreased cardiac index

• Structural alterations of pulmonary capillaries

• Increased lung compliance

• Loss of lung elasticity

What happens to the alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference (P(A-a)O2) with age?

• It increases

• It decreases

• It fluctuates

• It remains the same

What is the normal minimum low P a O2 after 45 years of age?

• Greater than 90 mmHg

• Between 75 and 90 mmHg

• Less than 75 mmHg

• It varies depending on age

What happens to the ventilatory rate and heart rate responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia with age?

• They increase

• They remain the same

• They decrease

• They fluctuate

What happens to the stroke volume and cardiac output with age?

• They decrease

• They remain the same

• They fluctuate

• They increase