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NCLEX · Developmental Stages and Aging

When teaching an older adult about health promotion, which age-related change should the nurse consider?

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Correct answer

Older adults experience normal changes such as decreased skin elasticity, slower metabolism, and possible sensory changes, requiring tailored teaching and safety measures

  1. A Older adults need no health screenings
  2. B Aging stops all body function changes
  3. C Older adults experience normal changes such as decreased skin elasticity, slower metabolism, and possible sensory changes, requiring tailored teaching and safety measures
  4. D Older adults cannot learn new health behaviors

Why this is the answer

Health-promotion teaching for OLDER ADULTS must account for normal AGE-RELATED CHANGES: decreased SKIN elasticity and thinning (skin care, fall/injury risk); slower METABOLISM (nutrition/medication considerations); SENSORY changes (vision, hearing — adapt teaching with large print, clear speech); decreased bone density; slower reaction time; changes in medication processing. NCLEX-RN health promotion/gerontology. TAILOR teaching: allow extra time, use clear materials, address sensory deficits, involve the client. Older adults CAN learn new behaviors and DO need screenings and prevention. Avoid ageist assumptions. Understanding normal aging changes (vs disease) and adapting health promotion accordingly is a tested gerontologic concept.
Source: NCLEX-RN Health Promotion — Aging Considerations

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About this topic: Developmental Stages and Aging

Developmental stages and aging questions cover Erikson's and Piaget's stages, milestones, and the health promotion priorities for each age group from infancy to older adulthood. This is one of 12 RN: Health Promotion and Maintenance questions on developmental stages and aging, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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