When assessing an older adult client, the nurse notes which age-related changes of the cardiovascular system that increase the risk for falls?
stiffening of the large arteries
rise in the systolic blood pressure
postural orthostatic hypotension
Decline of pacemaker cells in the sino-atrial node
The Correct Answer is C
A. Stiffening of the large arteries: Stiffening of the large arteries is a common age-related change and can contribute to increased systolic blood pressure. While this change can affect cardiovascular function, it does not directly increase the risk of falls as much as other factors.
B. Rise in the systolic blood pressure: An increase in systolic blood pressure often occurs with aging due to arterial stiffening. Elevated systolic blood pressure alone does not directly cause an increased risk of falls but is a part of the broader spectrum of cardiovascular changes.
C. Postural orthostatic hypotension: Postural orthostatic hypotension (OH) is characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position, leading to dizziness or lightheadedness. This condition is common in older adults and significantly increases the risk of falls, as it can cause sudden dizziness and unsteadiness upon standing.
D. Decline of pacemaker cells in the sino-atrial node: The decline of pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial node can lead to bradycardia or irregular heart rhythms, which are related to cardiac function. While this can affect overall cardiovascular health, it does not directly contribute to the risk of falls as much as the sudden changes in blood pressure associated with postural orthostatic hypotension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obtunded: Obtunded describes a state where a person has reduced alertness and is difficult to arouse but can respond to stimuli, such as verbal commands or physical touch. The client’s eyes remain closed and they are unresponsive to all stimuli, which is more severe than obtunded.
B. Stupor: Stupor is a condition where a person is in a near-unconscious state and responds only to vigorous or painful stimuli. Although the client is unresponsive to all stimuli, stupor usually involves some minimal response to pain or other strong stimuli, which doesn’t match the complete unresponsiveness described.
C. Coma: A coma is a profound state of unconsciousness where a person is unresponsive to all stimuli, including verbal, visual, and painful stimuli, and their eyes remain closed. This description matches the client’s condition of being unresponsive and with closed eyes.
D. Lethargy: Lethargy is characterized by excessive drowsiness or a reduced level of consciousness where the individual can be aroused with minimal effort. This state does not accurately describe a client who is unresponsive to all stimuli and whose eyes remain closed.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) This is an abnormal breath sound due to bronchial airways being narrowed, bronchoconstriction: Wheezing is an abnormal breath sound characterized by a high-pitched whistling noise produced during breathing. It occurs when the bronchial airways are narrowed due to bronchoconstriction, inflammation, or mucus, common in conditions like asthma. This narrowing of the airways creates turbulent airflow, leading to the wheezing sound.
B) This is a normal breath sound due to normal gas exchange: Wheezing is not a normal breath sound and is indicative of an obstruction or narrowing in the airways. Normal breath sounds, such as vesicular breath sounds, are smooth and do not include wheezing.
C) This is an abnormal breath sound due to bronchial airways being dilated, bronchodilation: Wheezing results from airway narrowing, not dilation. Bronchodilation, which is the widening of the airways, would typically reduce or resolve wheezing rather than cause it.
D) This is a normal breath sound due to the alveoli being fluid-filled: Wheezing is related to airway narrowing rather than fluid in the alveoli. Fluid in the alveoli would more commonly cause crackles or rales, not wheezing.
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