A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about the respiratory system changes that occur with aging. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.).

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 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.