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Difficulty: MediumAging Process

While performing a routine health screening at an outpatient clinic, a practical nurse evaluates a client in their early eighties. Which assessment finding should the nurse identify as a normal physiological change associated with aging?

  1. A
    Sudden onset of cognitive disorientation
  2. B
    Resting apical pulse of 118 beats per minute
  3. Gradual decline in the ability to hear high-pitched soundsAnswer
  4. D
    Pulse oximetry reading of 89% on room air

Answer

Gradual decline in the ability to hear high-pitched sounds
Presbycusis, or age-related sensorineural hearing loss, typically begins with a progressive inability to hear high-frequency sounds. This is an expected physiological adaptation that occurs as structural changes develop in the inner ear over time.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stem to determine the clinical objective.
The goal is to differentiate a normal, age-related physiological adaptation from signs of acute illness.
Recognizing expected changes prevents unnecessary interventions, while identifying abnormal findings ensures prompt medical escalation.
2
Evaluate each assessment finding against typical geriatric physiology.
High-frequency hearing loss is expected. Cognitive disorientation, tachycardia, and hypoxia are pathological.
Sudden confusion indicates delirium; tachycardia suggests cardiovascular stress or infection; hypoxia indicates respiratory compromise.
3
Select the finding that represents an expected age-related change.
The progressive loss of high-frequency hearing is selected.
This condition, presbycusis, is a widely recognized and normal aspect of aging in the sensory system.

Key Concept

Differentiating normal age-related physiological changes from acute pathological findings.
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Topics

Aging Process

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