A nurse is performing a musculoskeletal assessment on an older adult. What normal Physiological changes of aging does the nurse expect?
Select all that apply.
Arthritis
Widened Gait
Kyphosis
Slowed movement.
Muscle atrophy
Correct Answer : B,C,D,E,F
The normal physiological changes of aging that the nurse can expect in an older adult during a musculoskeletal assessment include:
● Widened Gait: With age, there can be a natural widening of the gait due to changes in balance and stability.
● Kyphosis: Kyphosis refers to an increased curvature of the thoracic spine, commonly known as a "hunchback" appearance, which can occur due to changes in the vertebral bones and intervertebral discs.
● Slowed movement: Older adults may experience a natural decline in their movement speed due to changes in muscle strength, coordination, and reaction time. ● Muscle atrophy: Age-related muscle atrophy, or loss of muscle mass, can occur, particularly if the older adult leads a sedentary lifestyle or has other underlying health conditions.
● Decreased joint ROM (Range of Motion): Older adults may experience a gradual decrease in joint flexibility and range of motion due to changes in the joints, ligaments, and surrounding tissues. This can affect their ability to move joints fully.
It's important to note that while some older adults may develop arthritis, it is not considered a normal physiological change of aging. Arthritis refers to the inflammation and degeneration of joints, which can occur due to various factors, including age, genetics, and lifestyle.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
After rhinoplasty, nasal packing is often used to control bleeding and provide support to the nasal structures. Nasal packing can cause oral dryness, as it obstructs the normal airflow through the nasal passages, leading to mouth breathing. Mouth breathing, in turn, can cause dryness of the oral mucosa and throat, resulting in the sensation of dryness and the need to swallow frequently.
While bleeding is a possible complication after rhinoplasty, the patient's symptom of frequent swallowing is more indicative of oral dryness rather than bleeding.
Although adverse reactions to analgesics can occur, frequent swallowing is not a common symptom associated with analgesic adverse reactions. Other signs such as rash, difficulty breathing, or changes in vital signs would be more typical in case of an adverse reaction. Swallowing can be a normal response to surgery, but in this scenario, the most likely cause is the oral dryness caused by the nasal packing rather than a direct response to the analgesic.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Pain tolerance refers to the maximum level of pain that an individual can tolerate without significant distress. It is influenced by various factors, including psychological and emotional factors. While emotions such as anger, boredom, and introversion can have an impact on a person's pain perception and experience, sleep plays a significant role in pain tolerance. During sleep, the body is in a state of rest and relaxation, allowing for decreased sensory input and potentially reducing pain perception. Sleep provides an opportunity for the body to repair and heal, which can contribute to improved pain tolerance. Additionally, sleep promotes the release of endogenous opioids, which are natural pain-relieving substances produced by the body.
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