A nurse is assessing an adolescent client whose parent has recently died.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale:

Decreased thickness of tympanic membranes is not a typical physiological change in older adults. Tympanic membranes tend to become thinner and less flexible with age, leading to increased susceptibility to damage, not decreased thickness.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased tinnitus is not a physiological change related to aging. Tinnitus can occur in individuals of all ages and is often associated with various factors such as exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or underlying medical conditions.

Choice C rationale:

Decreased ear wax is not a typical physiological change in older adults. In fact, older adults may experience increased production of earwax, which can lead to hearing problems if not managed appropriately.

Choice D rationale:

Decreased ability to hear high-frequency sounds is a common physiological change in older adult clients. This change, known as presbycusis, is characterized by a reduced ability to hear high-pitched sounds due to changes in the inner ear, including damage to hair cells and changes in the auditory nerves. Presbycusis is a well-documented and expected age-related change in hearing.

Choice A rationale:

The nurse is demonstrating the concept of disease prevention during a blood pressure screening for a client with a family history of hypertension. Disease prevention involves actions taken to reduce the risk of developing a disease or condition. In this case, the nurse is actively screening for hypertension, a condition that the client may be at risk for due to their family history. By identifying elevated blood pressure early, the nurse can help prevent the progression of hypertension and its associated complications.

Choice B rationale:

Holistic health is a comprehensive approach to healthcare that considers the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of an individual. While holistic health is an essential aspect of nursing care, the scenario described in the question focuses on a specific action related to blood pressure screening, which is better categorized as disease prevention.

Choice C rationale:

Health promotion involves activities that aim to enhance a person's well-being and quality of life, such as encouraging healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices. While blood pressure screening can be a part of health promotion, the primary goal in the scenario is to identify and prevent hypertension, which aligns more with disease prevention.

Choice D rationale:

Health education refers to the process of providing information and education to individuals to help them make informed decisions about their health. While health education may be a part of the overall nursing care provided to the client, the primary action in the scenario is to perform a blood pressure screening, which is a proactive measure to prevent disease, rather than solely focused on educating the client.