A nurse is educating an older adult client about the changes in hair and nails that occur with aging. Which of the following statements should the nurse expect the client to make?

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.

The correct answer is A.

Increased anteroposterior diameter.

This is a normal age-related change in the thorax that results from changes in the bones and muscles of the chest and spine.The ribcage becomes less flexible and more rounded, which increases the front-to-back dimension of the chest.

This can affect the lung function and breathing capacity of older adults.

Choice B is wrong because decreased kyphosis means reduced curvature of the spine, which is not a normal age-related change.In fact, kyphosis tends to increase with aging due to osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures.

Choice C is wrong because increased lung expansion means greater ability to fill the lungs with air, which is not a normal age-related change.In fact, lung expansion tends to decrease with aging due to loss of elasticity and shape of the air sacs (alveoli) and weakening of the respiratory muscles.

Choice D is wrong because decreased calcification means reduced deposition of calcium in the tissues, which is not a normal age-related change.In fact, calcification tends to increase with aging, especially in the costal cartilages that connect the ribs to the sternum.

This can make the chest wall more rigid and less compliant.

Normal ranges for anteroposterior diameter vary depending on age, sex, height and weight, but generally it should be less than the transverse diameter (the side-to-side dimension of the chest).

A ratio of anteroposterior to transverse diameter greater than 0.9 is considered abnormal and may indicate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).