Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumDevelopmental Stages and Transitions

A gerontology nurse is performing a comprehensive physical assessment on a 78-year-old client during an annual wellness visit. The nurse is identifying physiological changes to determine the need for further intervention. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as expected age-related transitions rather than pathological concerns? Select all that apply.

  1. Decreased vital capacity and a diminished cough reflexAnswer
  2. B
    Progressive memory loss that impairs the ability to manage household finances
  3. High-frequency hearing loss making it difficult to distinguish consonantsAnswer
  4. D
    Frequent urinary incontinence requiring the continuous use of absorbent garments
  5. Stiffening of the arterial walls leading to a mild increase in systolic blood pressureAnswer

Answer

The expected age-related transitions are decreased vital capacity and diminished cough reflex, high-frequency hearing loss (presbycusis), and stiffening of the arterial walls causing a mild increase in systolic blood pressure.
Expected physiological transitions of aging involve gradual declines in systemic reserves. This includes the respiratory system (decreased chest wall compliance and vital capacity), the sensory system (presbycusis, or high-frequency hearing loss), and the cardiovascular system (arterial stiffening causing isolated systolic increases). These changes happen universally and progressively in the absence of disease.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's developmental stage and chronological age.
The client is a 78-year-old older adult in the late adulthood developmental stage.
Identifying the age group establishes the baseline for expected physiological transitions.
2
Evaluate each finding to distinguish between normal physiological aging and pathological disease processes.
Respiratory, sensory, and cardiovascular changes (decreased vital capacity, presbycusis, and arterial stiffening) are identified as normal. Severe memory loss and incontinence are identified as abnormal.
Nurses must differentiate expected changes from illness to avoid missing critical diagnoses and to provide appropriate anticipatory guidance.
3
Select the options that represent normal, expected age-related changes.
Selected the options describing respiratory changes, hearing loss, and arterial stiffening.
The question specifically asks for expected transitions rather than pathological concerns.

Key Concept

Distinguishing expected physiological age-related transitions from pathological conditions in the older adult.
Rate this question

Topics

Developmental Stages and Transitions

More questions from this topic