American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Prepare for the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam with detailed quizzes. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions to master the ABS QE topics. Get all the hints and explanations you need to succeed on your first attempt!

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What happens to the cough reflex in older adults?

It becomes more efficient
It is less responsive
It increases sensitivity to irritants
It remains unchanged with age

The correct answer is: It is less responsive

In older adults, the cough reflex is often less responsive due to age-related changes in the respiratory system and neural pathways. As individuals age, there can be a decrease in respiratory muscle strength, alterations in airway structure, and changes in the central nervous system that can impair the ability to initiate a cough in response to irritants or secretions. This results in reduced efficiency in clearing the airways, making older individuals more susceptible to respiratory infections and complications because their body is less able to effectively mobilize secretions or respond to environmental triggers. Therefore, the characterization of the cough reflex in older adults as being less responsive accurately reflects these physiological changes, which are important to consider in managing respiratory health in this population.