The aging process decreases mucociliary function, resulting in:

• A. increased mucociliary clearance.
• B. a decreased ability to cough.
• C. increased alveolar elasticity.
• D. improved secretions clearance.

Answer: (B)

Mucociliary clearance declines with age, so mucus and secretions aren’t moved up and out of the airways as effectively. Clearing those secretions relies heavily on a productive cough, but aging also weakens respiratory muscles and reduces cough reflex sensitivity. Together, these changes lead to a decreased ability to cough, making it harder to clear secretions. The other options describe improvements or opposite effects (more clearance, greater alveolar elasticity, or better secretion clearance) that don’t occur with aging.