Author Question: A nurse is performing a physical examination on an older-adult client in an assisted living ... (Read 54 times)

mynx · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is performing a physical examination on an older-adult client in an assisted living facility. On completion of the examination, the nurse compares the results to findings expected for indi-viduals in this age-group.

An expected finding for this client is:
1. Increased tactile responsiveness
2. Increased sensitivity to visual glare
3. Increased hearing acuity for higher tones
4. Increased thoracic expansion during ventilation

Question 2

A 70-year-old client asks the nurse to explain her hypertension as she is to have her blood pres-sure checked each shift. An appropriate response by the nurse as to why older clients often expe-rience hypertension is because of:

1. Myocardial muscle damage
2. Reduction in physical activity
3. Ingestion of foods high in sodium
4. Accumulation of plaque on arterial walls

perkiness · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 2
A common physiological change in the older-adult client is an increased sensitivity to glare. In-creased tactile responsiveness would not be an expected finding in the older-adult client. An ex-pected physiological change in the older adult-client is a loss of hearing acuity for high-frequency tones (presbycusis). The older adult has decreased thoracic expansion during ventilation because of musculoskeletal changes.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 4
Although hypertension is not a normal physiological change of aging, older adults often experi-ence hypertension because of vascular changes and accumulation of plaque on arterial walls, both of which reduce contractility. Vascular changes include thickening of vessel walls, narrowing of vessel lumen, and loss of vessel elasticity. Myocardial damage is not the reason for older adults commonly experiencing hypertension. Hypertension is not caused by a reduction in physical ac-tivity. Older adults with hypertension should be counseled on limiting fat and salt in their diet. However, ingestion of processed foods high in salt is not the reason why older clients often ex-perience hypertension.