Final answer:
An older adult with COPD is at the greatest risk of developing community-acquired pneumonia due to compromised lung function, susceptibility to infection, and the advanced age often associated with COPD.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual at greatest risk of developing community-acquired pneumonia is an older adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a lung disease characterized by chronic poor airflow, which increases the risk of respiratory infections including pneumonia. Factors that pose a risk for pneumonia include having an underlying lung disease like COPD, being elderly, smoking, and having a weakened immune system.
Vaccines are available to help prevent pneumonia, but for those with existing lung conditions, catching infectious diseases can lead to pulmonary complications like pneumonia more readily than in the general population. Smoking is a known cause of COPD and can lead to the breakdown of connective tissues in the lungs, reducing alveolar number and elasticity.
This compromises the ability to fully exhale air from the lungs and increases the susceptibility to lung infections. Pneumonia cases in COPD patients can be particularly severe, making it crucial for those with the condition to avoid smoking and receive recommended vaccinations against respiratory infections.