The nurse assessing a 68-year-old female patient notes an ...

[audie]

The nurse assessing a 68-year-old female patient notes an exaggerated curvature of the thoracic spine when the patient bends at the waist. With which alteration does the nurse recognize this finding to be consistent?
 
  1. kyphosis, which is a common curvature in older patients
  2. kyphosis, which the patient will have to have surgically corrected
  3. scoliosis, which is a normal curvature in the elderly
  4. lordosis, which is common in elderly patients

Question 2

The nurse is reviewing data collected during the assessment of an older female. What should the nurse identify as being a normal age-related change?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. height decreased 0.5 inch in 2 years
  2. complains of frequent cramping of lower extremities
  3. 1 cm nodule palpated in right foot
  4. decreased range of motion in right and left hips
  5. lateral curvature of the spine

[yasmina]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Kyphosis is common in older adult patients. Surgical correction of kyphosis is not a treatment method. Scoliosis is not a normal curvature in the elderly population. Lordosis is an increased lumbar curve and not a normal curvature in the elderly population.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 4
The height decrease is a geriatric consideration due to the shortening of the spinal column and the decrease in bone mass. Muscle cramping can occur as the muscle fibers atrophy and the fibrous tissue replaces muscle tissue. A nodule that is palpated in the foot is not a change that is common in the geriatric population and should be examined further. Decrease in range of motion is a common finding. Lateral curvature of the spine or scoliosis is not a common geriatric finding and may have several causes.