A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is 80 years old.The nurse notes that the client has low levels of iron, calcium and vitamin B12. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of this finding?

The correct answer is A, D, and E.

Here is why:.

A. “You may experience dizziness when you stand up quickly.” This is true because aging causes the arteries and arterioles to become less elastic and less able to adjust the blood pressure quickly when the posture changes.This can lead to a drop in blood pressure when standing up, which can cause dizziness or fainting.

D. “Your blood vessels may become stiffer and narrower.” This is true because aging causes the walls of the arteries and arterioles to become thicker and stiffer, which reduces their compliance and increases the resistance to blood flow.This can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.

E. “Your heart may skip some beats or have extra beats.” This is true because aging causes changes in the electrical system of the heart, which can result in arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, or sinus bradycardia.These can cause irregular heartbeats that may be felt as palpitations or skipped beats.

B. “Your blood pressure may drop when you are resting.” This is false because aging does not cause a decrease in blood pressure at rest.

In fact, aging tends to increase the systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart contracts) due to the stiffening of the arteries.The diastolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart relaxes) may remain normal or decrease slightly, resulting in a widened pulse pressure (the difference between systolic and diastolic pressures).

C. “Your heart may beat faster when you exercise.” This is false because aging does not cause an increase in heart rate during exercise.

In fact, aging tends to decrease the maximum heart rate that can be achieved during exercise due to the reduced responsiveness of the heart to adrenergic stimuli.The older heart also takes longer to recover after exercise.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mmHg for adults of any age.Normal ranges for heart rate are 60-100 beats per minute for adults of any age, but the maximum heart rate decreases with age according to the formula 220 minus age.

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.