Growth and Development Q 43
When assessing an older adult., the nurse may expect an increase in:
A. Nail growth
B. Skin turgor
C. Urine residual
D. Nerve conduction velocity
Correct Answer: C. Urine residual
Older adults with other health conditions such as diabetes, enlarged prostate (men), or pelvic organ prolapse (women) may cause incomplete bladder emptying resulting in increased urine residual.
Option A: Nail growth is expected to slow with aging due to decreased blood flow to the hands and feet. With advancing age, various changes in nail plate thickness might occur, becoming thicker, thinner, or remaining the same. Nail plate growth rates of fingernails and toenails normally average 3.0 and 1.0 mm/mo, respectively. With advancing age, starting at the age of 25 years, this rate tends to decrease by approximately 0.5% per year.
Option B: Skin loses its elasticity with age so the skin turgor is expected to decrease. The epidermis of the skin atrophies with age and due to changes in collagen and elastin, the skin loses its tone and elasticity.
Option D: Nerve conduction velocities are expected to decrease with aging. It is caused either by an injury or nerve damage. During normal aging, blood flow in the brain decreases and gets less efficient at recruiting different areas into operations. The whole group of changes taking place in the brain with aging decreases the efficiency of cell-to-cell communication, which declines the ability to retrieve and learn.