If a patient has pneumonia, which of the following can increase the risk of life-threatening illness or death?

1. Weakened immune system
2. COPD
3. Marfan's syndrome
4. Heart disease
a. 1, 3
b. 2, 4
c. 1, 2, 3
d. 1, 2, 4

D
A weakened immune system can make the patient less able to naturally fight off an infection. The chronic damage found with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [emphysema and chronic bronchitis]) makes the lungs and airways more prone to infection and less able to recover from infection. Heart disease can adversely affect lung function and decrease oxygen delivery to the body. Marfan's syndrome is not associated with pneumonia or lung function.