During a cardiovascular assessment of an 80-year-old adult, a nurse should consider which of the following as expected findings?
Hormonal changes causing vasodilation resulting in hypotension
Atrophy of the muscles causing venous insufficiency
Peripheral blood vessels become more rigid producing a rise in systolic blood pressure.
Narrowing of the inferior vena cava causing, bilateral lower extremities varicosities
The Correct Answer is C
A. Hormonal changes can occur, but they typically do not cause significant vasodilation or hypotension in the elderly.
B. Atrophy of the muscles causing venous insufficiency. While venous insufficiency can occur in aging, muscle atrophy is not the primary factor in this issue.
C. Peripheral blood vessels become more rigid producing a rise in systolic blood pressure. This is a common and expected finding in the elderly due to arteriosclerosis, leading to increased systolic blood pressure.
D. The inferior vena cava does not typically narrow with age, and varicosities are more likely due to vein elasticity changes, not narrowing.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The Achilles reflex involves the contraction of the calf muscles, not the fanning of the toes.
B. A negative Babinski sign would show the toes curling downward, which is normal for adults, not fanning out.
C. A positive Babinski sign, where the toes fan out and the big toe dorsiflexes, is abnormal in adults and typically indicates neurologic damage or dysfunction.
D. Clonus involves repeated muscle contractions, not the fanning of the toes.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hormonal changes can occur, but they typically do not cause significant vasodilation or hypotension in the elderly.
B. Atrophy of the muscles causing venous insufficiency. While venous insufficiency can occur in aging, muscle atrophy is not the primary factor in this issue.
C. Peripheral blood vessels become more rigid producing a rise in systolic blood pressure. This is a common and expected finding in the elderly due to arteriosclerosis, leading to increased systolic blood pressure.
D. The inferior vena cava does not typically narrow with age, and varicosities are more likely due to vein elasticity changes, not narrowing.
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