Colorado CNA Practice Exam

A normal age-related change for the immune and lymphatic systems is the:

1. Immune system overreacts

2. Immune system strengthens

3. Immune system weakens

4. Production of white blood cells increases

The correct answer is: Immune system overreacts

The correct understanding of age-related changes in the immune and lymphatic systems is that, typically, the immune system weakens as a person ages. This means that older adults often experience a decreased immune response, which can make them more susceptible to infections and diseases. This weakening of the immune system can be attributed to various factors, such as a decline in the production of new immune cells and changes in the function of existing cells. As a result, older individuals may not respond to vaccines as effectively, and their ability to fight off illnesses may be compromised. The options point to changes that don’t accurately reflect the generally accepted understanding of aging and immune functionality. For example, while it's true that some immune responses can be overactive in specific conditions, this isn't a universal characteristic of aging. Additionally, the immune system does not typically strengthen, nor does the production of white blood cells increase; in fact, the production may decrease, contributing to a less effective immune response.