During a community screening event for bone density, an elderly client asked the nurse why she is an inch shorter in height. Which of the following responses by the nurse is correct?
"With aging, a large amount of subcutaneous fat is lost, which gives the appearance of decreased height."
"With aging, the spine is not as flexible, which doesn't permit the individual to stand as tall."
"With aging, the cartilage between the bones in the spine gets worn down, which causes decreased height."
"With aging, thickening of the intervertebral disks occurs, which causes pressure breakdown of the spinal vertebrae."
The Correct Answer is C
A. Loss of subcutaneous fat might contribute to changes in appearance but is not primarily responsible for the decrease in height with aging.
B. Reduced spinal flexibility may contribute to posture changes but doesn’t sufficiently explain the decrease in height.
C. With aging, the intervertebral discs and cartilage between spinal bones wear down, leading to a decrease in height due to changes in the spine's structure.
D. Thickening of intervertebral discs is not a typical occurrence with aging and does not explain the decrease in height.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Listening to speech primarily involves cranial nerves related to speech production (e.g., CN V, CN VII, CN XII) but not specifically for CN V.
B. Reading a Snellen chart assesses visual acuity, primarily involving cranial nerve II (optic nerve).
C. Identifying scented aromas involves olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) assessment.
D. Asking the client to clench their teeth evaluates the function of the muscles of mastication, which is controlled by cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve).
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This option inaccurately includes "electrical impulse stimulators," which is not a recognized component of the central nervous system. The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord.
B. The hypothalamus and cerebral nerves are parts of the nervous system but do not represent the entirety of the central nervous system.
C. The central nervous system consists specifically of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for coordinating and processing sensory information.
D. The peripheral and autonomic components belong to the broader nervous system but are not part of the central nervous system.

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