A nurse is assessing the skin of an older adult client. Which of the following findings is a normal age-related change in the integumentary system?
Increased skin vascularity.
Decreased skin fragility.
Increased sebaceous gland activity.
Decreased perspiration.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is D.
Decreased perspiration. This is because the sweat glands become less active with aging, resulting in reduced sweating and dryness of the skin. Decreased perspiration can also affect the body’s ability to regulate its temperature and may cause heat intolerance.
Choice A is wrong because increased skin vascularity is not a normal age-related change in the integumentary system. In fact, the blood vessels in the skin become thinner and less elastic, resulting in decreased perfusion and a paler skin tone.
Choice B is wrong because decreased skin fragility is not a normal age-related change in the integumentary system. On the contrary, the skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more prone to splitting, cracking, and infections due to reduced collagen and elastin production, decreased mitosis in the epidermis, and lowered immunity.
Choice C is wrong because increased sebaceous gland activity is not a normal age-related change in the integumentary system. Rather, the sebaceous glands produce less sebum, which contributes to the dryness and loss of moisture in the skin.
Normal ranges for some of the parameters related to the integumentary system are:.
• Skin thickness: varies depending on body location, but generally ranges from 0.5 mm to 4 mm.
• Skin elasticity: measured by the Cutometer device, which uses negative pressure to lift the skin and calculate its elasticity.
A higher value indicates more elastic skin. The average elasticity value for young adults is 0.82, while for older adults it is 0.57.
• Skin moisture: measured by the Corneometer device, which uses electrical capacitance to assess the hydration level of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin).
A higher value indicates more hydrated skin. The average moisture value for young adults is 62.8, while for older adults it is 51.3.
• Perspiration: measured by the Evaporimeter device, which uses a humidity sensor to detect the amount of water vapor lost from the skin surface.
A higher value indicates more perspiration. The average perspiration value for young adults is 13.9 g/m2/h, while for older adults it is 9.8 g/m2/h.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is B. Decreased stroke volume.
Stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction.
The contractile strength of the myocardium determines how much blood is ejected with each beat.As people age, the myocardium becomes less elastic and less responsive to catecholamines, which can reduce the contractile force and lower the stroke volume.
Choice A is wrong because increased heart rate is not related to the decreased contractile strength of the myocardium, but rather to the decreased responsiveness of the baroreceptors, which regulate blood pressure.Older adults may have higher resting heart rates and lower maximum heart rates than younger adults.
Choice C is wrong because increased cardiac output is not related to the decreased contractile strength of the myocardium, but rather to the increased blood volume and cardiac workload that may occur with aging.Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume and heart rate, so a lower stroke volume would tend to decrease cardiac output.
Choice D is wrong because decreased peripheral resistance is not related to the decreased contractile strength of the myocardium, but rather to the decreased elasticity and increased stiffness of the arterial walls that may occur with aging.
Peripheral resistance is the opposition to blood flow caused by friction between the blood and the vessel walls.A higher peripheral resistance would increase the afterload on the heart and reduce the stroke volume.
Normal ranges for stroke volume are 60 to 100 mL/beat for men and 50 to 90 mL/beat for women.
Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults.
Normal ranges for cardiac output are 4 to 8 L/min for adults.
Normal ranges for peripheral resistance are 800 to 1200 dynes/sec/cm-for adults.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A.“I may notice my hair becoming thinner and grayer as I age.” This statement reflects the common changes in hair that occur with aging, such as reduced melanin production, slower growth rate, and smaller hair strands.
Choice B is wrong because nails do not grow faster and stronger with age, but rather more slowly and may become dull and brittle.
Choice C is wrong because hair does not become more oily and curly with age, but rather drier and finer.
Choice D is wrong because nails do not become smoother and shinier with age, but rather yellowed and opaque.
Normal ranges for hair and nail growth vary depending on factors such as genetics, nutrition, health conditions, and environmental exposure.
However, some general estimates are:.
• Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month and toenails grow about 1 mm per month.
• Hair grows about 0.5 inches per month and loses about 50 to 100 strands per day.
• Hair color changes from about 30% gray at age 50 to about 50% gray at age 70.
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