Question

. Identify which of the following patients is at greatest risk for developing a respiratory complication after surgery.

	A.	A patient with hypertension.
	B.	A patient with ascites.
	C.	A patient with a 5 year history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
	D.	A patient with a history of smoking a pack of cigarettes a week.

Answer 1

Option D is the correct answer.Smoking is a risk factor for respiratory infections.Smoking causes changes in the respiratory tract.Smoking decreases the immune response and increase the risk of viral and bacterial Infection.In this patient he is a smoker and smoking increases the risk of respiratory Infection after the surgery.Smoking can increase the number of white blood cells and increase the chance of Infection.

Option A is incorrect.Hypertension is a condition where the blood pressure is high.In this patient he has hypertension and usually hypertension didn't cause respiratory problems after the surgery.

Option B is incorrect.Ascites is fluid accumulation in the abdomen due to liver disease.The accumulation of fluids can cause breathing problems but it doesn't cause respiratory Infection after the surgery.

Option C is incorrect.Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder where breathing stops involuntary for short period at the time of sleep.