The population health nurse is reviewing health information for a grou

The population health nurse is reviewing health information for a group of community members. Which client should the nurse identify as having comorbidities?

1. The 65-year-old client and his spouse both have diabetes mellitus.
2. The 72-year-old client is taking an antihypertensive medication that interferes with his asthma.
3. The 86-year-old client is the primary caregiver for his 90-year-old spouse.
4. The 67-year-old client does not experience the usual symptoms that are associated with emphysema.

ESSAYBID ANSWER

Answer: 2
Explanation: 2. Comorbidity is the coexistence of more than one chronic physical and/or mental illness in the same person at the same time. This complicates diagnosis and treatment of illness in older adults. The 72-year-old client with hypertension and asthma has comorbidities. The other clients would not be considered as having comorbidities.