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 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.

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).