NCLEX · General

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

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 Older adults experience normal changes such as decreased skin elasticity, slower metabolism, and possible sensory changes, requiring tailored teaching and safety measures
  3. C Aging stops all body function changes
  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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