An 85-year-old patient asks why she always feels so cold. What ...

[Davideckstein7]

An 85-year-old patient asks why she always feels so cold. What should the nurse's response include?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Heat sensors in the blood vessels lose sensitivity with aging.
  2. Your body metabolism is slowing the amount of blood flow.
  3. Blood vessels don't constrict as quickly with aging.
  4. Aging causes a layer of the blood vessels to stiffen.
  5. One layer of the blood vessels gets thinner with aging.

Question 2

Aspirin has been prescribed for a patient following a myocardial infarction. What should the nurse include when teaching about this drug?
 
  1. Check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal remedies.
  2. Report any itching that develops after seven days of taking the drug.
  3. Take at a different time of day than warfarin (Coumadin).
  4. Do not skip any scheduled appointments to have blood drawn for labs.

[alvinum]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3, 4, 5
Age-related changes to the tunica media layer of the blood vessels cause inefficient vasoconstriction, decreased CO, and reduced muscle mass and subcutaneous tissue, resulting in a reduced ability to respond to cold temperatures. The tunica media layer thins, and elastin fibers calcify; the increase in calcium results in stiffening. There is no evidence that heat sensors in the blood vessels lose sensitivity as an age-related change. Slowing of the metabolism does not necessarily slow the amount of blood flow.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Herbal remedies such as evening primrose oil, garlic, gingko biloba, or grapeseed extract can increase the effect of the aspirin. Itching is not a common side effect of aspirin therapy. Aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) are not to be taken concurrently. No lab appointments will be made just for aspirin therapy.

[Davideckstein7]

Excellent

[elyse44]

Great answer, keep it coming