An advanced practice registered nurse conducts a comprehensive wellness examination for a 77-year-old client who lives independently. The client's caregiver provides a list of observed physical and behavioral changes that have occurred over the past year. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as expected, age-related developmental and physiological transitions rather than pathological concerns? Select all that apply.
- Increased difficulty distinguishing between blue and green color shades in dim lighting.Answer
- BSudden onset of disorientation when navigating previously familiar driving routes in the neighborhood.
- Requiring extended time to recall a specific word or name while maintaining an intact overall vocabulary.Answer
- DUnintentional leakage of urine when sneezing, coughing, or lifting heavy objects.
- Frequent reminiscing about past accomplishments and sharing repetitive historical narratives with younger family members.Answer
- FExpressing a pervasive sense of uselessness and abruptly withdrawing from previously enjoyed social hobbies.
Answer
The expected age-related transitions are increased difficulty distinguishing blue and green colors, requiring extended time for word retrieval, and frequent reminiscing about past life events.
Normal aging encompasses specific, predictable transitions: physiologically, the ocular lens yellows leading to poor blue/green discrimination; cognitively, processing speed slows leading to delayed word retrieval while vocabulary remains intact; and psychosocially, older adults engage in life review (reminiscing) to fulfill Erikson's developmental stage of Ego Integrity.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Differentiating normal physiological and psychosocial aging processes from pathological conditions in the older adult.