A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dry skin and complains of feeling cold.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
“You should drink more water to hydrate your skin.”.
“You should avoid using soap and hot water when bathing.”.
“You should wear layers of clothing to keep warm.”.
“You should apply moisturizer to your skin after bathing.”.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is D.
“You should apply moisturizer to your skin after bathing.” This statement is based on the fact that dry skin is a common problem among older adults, especially in cold or dry weather. Applying moisturizer after bathing can help to lock in the moisture and prevent further water loss from the skin .
Choice A is wrong because drinking more water may not be enough to hydrate the skin if the skin barrier is impaired or damaged. Drinking water is important for overall health, but it does not directly affect the moisture content of the skin .
Choice B is wrong because avoiding soap and hot water when bathing may not be sufficient to prevent dry skin.
Soap can strip the natural oils from the skin, but so can hot water. It is recommended to use mild, non-soap cleansers and warm water instead of hot water when bathing .
Choice C is wrong because wearing layers of clothing to keep warm may not address the underlying cause of feeling cold. Older adults may feel cold more than usual due to various factors, such as thinning of the skin, decreased blood circulation, reduced muscle mass, or hormonal changes .
Wearing layers of clothing may help to maintain body temperature, but it does not treat the cause of feeling cold.
Normal ranges for skin moisture and body temperature vary depending on individual factors, such as age, health status, environment, and activity level.
However, some general guidelines are:.
• Skin moisture: The skin should feel soft and smooth, not rough or scaly.
The skin should not have cracks, flakes, or redness. The skin should have a normal color, not pale or grayish .
• Body temperature: The normal body temperature for adults is around 98.6°F (37°C), but it can vary slightly depending on the time of day, activity level, and other factors. A body temperature below 95°F (35°C) is considered hypothermia and requires immediate medical attention .
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer isD.
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 becauseincreased skin vascularityis 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 becausedecreased skin fragilityis 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 becauseincreased sebaceous gland activityis 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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is C.
Decreased liver function.Older adults are at increased risk for adverse drug reactions due to various physiological changes that affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs.One of these changes is the reduction in liver blood flow, size, drug-metabolizing enzyme content and function.This can result in slower or decreased metabolism of drugs, leading to higher plasma concentrations and increased risk of toxicity.
Choice A is wrong because older adults have decreased renal clearance, not increased.This means that drugs that are eliminated by the kidneys may accumulate in the body and cause adverse effects.
Choice B is wrong because older adults have decreased plasma protein levels, not increased.This means that drugs that are bound to plasma proteins may have higher free fractions and increased pharmacological effects.
Choice D is wrong because older adults have increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, not decreased.This means that drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier may have enhanced central nervous system effects in older adults.
Normal ranges for liver function tests vary depending on the laboratory and the method used, but some common values are:.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): 7-55 U/L.
• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST): 8-48 U/L.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): 45-115 U/L.
• Total bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL.
• Albumin: 3.5-5 g/dL.
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