An 82-year-old diabetic client is being treated in the hospital for a sacral pressure ulcer. What age-related change is most likely to affect the client's course of treatment?
Increased thickness of the subcutaneous skin layer
Changes in the character and quantity of bacterial skin flora
Increased time required for wound healing
Increased elasticity of the skin
The Correct Answer is C
A. Increased thickness of the subcutaneous skin layer - Aging typically results in thinning of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, making older adults more vulnerable to pressure ulcers rather than having increased thickness.
B. Changes in the character and quantity of bacterial skin flora - This is a common age-related change; however, it is not directly related to the course of treatment for a sacral pressure ulcer. Proper wound care can mitigate the impact of changes in skin flora.
C. Increased time required for wound healing - Aging often leads to a decline in the body's ability to repair and regenerate tissues, which can prolong the healing process of wounds, including pressure ulcers. Older adults may experience delayed wound healing compared to younger individuals.
D. Increased elasticity of the skin - Skin elasticity decreases with age, making older adults more susceptible to skin breakdown and pressure ulcers due to reduced skin resilience and ability to redistribute pressure. Increased elasticity would not affect the course of treatment positively but rather negatively in this context.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Foam:
Explanation: Foam dressings are highly absorbent and provide cushioning and protection to wounds. They are suitable for wounds with moderate to heavy drainage. While foam dressings are excellent for wound exudate management, they are not specifically designed for protecting bony prominences or areas with poor skin integrity.
B. Non-adherent:
Explanation: Non-adherent dressings are made from materials that do not stick to the wound bed. They are ideal for fragile skin, bony prominences, or superficial wounds where minimizing trauma during dressing changes is important. Non-adherent dressings are often used for preventing further skin damage in malnourished clients with poor skin integrity.
C. Ace bandage:
Explanation: Ace bandages, or elastic bandages, are primarily used for providing compression and support to injured joints or muscles. They are not designed for protecting bony prominences or fragile skin areas. Using an Ace bandage on a bony prominence could lead to pressure points and skin damage.
D. Hydrocolloid:
Explanation: Hydrocolloid dressings are absorbent and form a gel-like barrier when they come into contact with wound exudate. They provide a moist environment that supports healing and autolytic debridement. Hydrocolloid dressings are suitable for wounds with light to moderate drainage. While they are beneficial for certain wounds, they are not specifically indicated for protecting bony prominences in malnourished clients.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Provide the client with antipyretic therapy. - Antipyretic therapy can help reduce fever, but addressing the underlying infection with antibiotics is crucial.
B. Administer antibiotics to the client. -The priority intervention for a client with acute osteomyelitis is to administer antibiotics promptly. Osteomyelitis is a severe bacterial infection of the bone, which requires aggressive antibiotic therapy to eradicate the infection. Delaying antibiotic treatment can lead to further complications and the spread of the infection.
C. Teach relaxation breathing to reduce the client's pain. - Pain management is important, but in the case of acute osteomyelitis, the priority is to eliminate the infection through antibiotics.
D. Increase the client's protein intake. - Adequate nutrition, including protein, is important for overall healing and immune function, but it is not the priority when dealing with an acute infection that requires immediate antibiotic treatment.

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