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Physiological Changes with Aging
Physiological Changes with Aging ( 10 Questions)
A nurse is assessing the skin of an older adult client. Which of the following findings is a normal age-related change in the integumentary system?
This 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.
This 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.
This 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.
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.
The correct answer is D.
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 because increased skin vascularity is 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 because decreased skin fragility is 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 because increased sebaceous gland activity is 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.