A new EMT asks you why the elderly are at a higher risk for developing pneumonia, as compared to younger individuals. You inform him that one reason the elderly are more susceptible to respiratory infections because of a (n) :

decreased cough reflex

Explanation:

The epithelial layer of the respiratory tract has cough receptors present on it which respond to the mechanical and chemical stimuli and which gets stimulated in the presence of dust and other small particles thus resulting in cough to remove these particles from the respiratory tracts such that they do not enter the lungs. This cough produced by the stimulation of cough receptors is termed as cough reflex. In the elderly, there can be several factors that contribute to a decreased cough reflex such as a decrease in dopamine levels, decreased physical activity, prolonged bed rest, weakening of the muscles associated with the respiratory tract, etc. Since pneumonia is a respiratory tract disease, the cough reflex plays an important role in avoiding the infection and therefore, a decrease in cough reflex leads to increased chances of pneumonia in the adults.