During an assessment of an older adult, the nurse should expect to which finding as a normal physiologic change associated with the aging process?

A. Errors by the nurse assistant in measuring temperature. While improper technique can lead to inaccurate readings, consistent temperature fluctuations in a head injury patient are more likely due to hypothalamic dysfunction.
B. Increased vasodilatation of the superficial vessels contributing to excess heat losses. Vasodilation can play a role in heat loss, but it does not fully explain difficulty maintaining body temperature, which is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus.
C. The client's head injury causing interference with the function of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, and a severe head injury can disrupt this function, leading to temperature instability (neurogenic fever or hypothermia) despite the absence of infection.
D. Choosing the wrong time of day to obtain vital signs. While body temperature naturally fluctuates throughout the day, major instability in temperature regulation is not due to the timing of measurement but rather an issue with the hypothalamus.

A. Brachial artery. The brachial pulse is commonly used in infants but is not the best choice for assessing circulation in an unconscious adult.
B. Carotid artery. The carotid artery is the preferred site for assessing a pulse in an unconscious adult because it is a central pulse with strong circulation, even in low-perfusion states.
C. Radial artery. The radial pulse is a peripheral pulse and may be difficult to palpate if the patient has poor circulation or cardiac arrest. The carotid pulse is more reliable in emergencies.
D. Apical artery. There is no apical artery; the apical pulse is auscultated over the heart with a stethoscope and is not used in emergency pulse checks.