During an assessment of an older adult, the nurse should expect to which finding as a normal physiologic change associated with the aging process?

Narrowing of the inferior vena cava, causing low blood flow and increases in venous pressure resulting in varicosities

Progressive atrophy of the intramuscular calf veins, causing venous insufficiency

Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age, producing a rise in systolic blood pressure

Hormonal changes causing vasodilation and a resulting drop in blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Narrowing of the inferior vena cava, causing low blood flow and increases in venous pressure resulting in varicosities. The inferior vena cava does not significantly narrow with aging. Varicosities are more commonly due to valve insufficiency in the veins rather than vena cava narrowing.
B. Progressive atrophy of the intramuscular calf veins, causing venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is common in older adults, but it is primarily due to valve dysfunction and prolonged venous pressure rather than atrophy of calf veins.
C. Peripheral blood vessels growing more rigid with age, producing a rise in systolic blood pressure. Aging leads to arteriosclerosis, where blood vessels become stiffer, reducing their ability to expand and contract, which contributes to increased systolic blood pressure. This is a well-documented normal physiologic change in older adults.
D. Hormonal changes causing vasodilation and a resulting drop in blood pressure. While some hormonal changes occur with aging, they do not typically lead to significant vasodilation. In fact, the loss of vascular elasticity and autonomic dysfunction can contribute to postural hypotension, but not a generalized drop in blood pressure.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Body temperature follows a circadian rhythm, typically being lowest in the early morning (around 4–6 AM) and peaking in the late afternoon or evening.
B. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which increases metabolic activity and raises body temperature rather than lowering it.
C. Physical activity generates heat, leading to an increase in body temperature, not a decrease.
D. While some surgical preparations involve cooling the patient, body temperature is not naturally lower before surgery. Instead, preoperative anxiety may even cause a slight increase in temperature.

A. Positional BP readings B. Carotid pulse and temperature C. Full respiratory system assessment D. Apical pulse for one minute

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Positional BP readings. While orthostatic blood pressure readings can assess for postural hypotension, there is no indication in the current vitals that the client is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness or syncope.
B. Carotid pulse and temperature. The client’s temperature is already documented as normal, and the carotid pulse is not needed when an irregular radial pulse has been noted. The apical pulse is the preferred method to assess for irregularities.
C. Full respiratory system assessment. The respiratory rate is within the normal range, with regular rhythm and normal depth, so a full respiratory assessment is not the immediate priority.
D. Apical pulse for one minute. An irregular radial pulse suggests the possibility of an arrhythmia. The apical pulse provides a more accurate assessment of heart rhythm and rate, ensuring a complete evaluation of the irregularity.

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During an assessment of an older adult, the nurse should expect to which finding as a normal physiologic change associated with the aging process?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When evaluating the client's temperature levels, the nurse expects the client's temperature to be lower:

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Your 95-year-old client's vital signs are as follows: oral T 98.6 F: P (radial) 84 with irregularity: R 18. normal depth, & regular: BP (left arm, sitting) 140/86. Which nursing assessment(s) would be done to obtain more data at this time?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

2.5 L=

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