The nurse is performing a physical examination on a 40-year-old adult

The nurse is performing a physical examination on a 40-year-old adult client. The nurse will most likely find that the client of this age is experiencing which one of the following physiological changes related to normal aging?

1. Decreased hearing acuity
2. Decreased sense of smell
3. Decreased strength of abdominal muscles
4. Decreased function of the various cranial nerves

ANSWER

ANS: 3
A physiological change related to normal aging in the middle adult would be decreased strength of abdominal muscles. The middle adult should have normal auditory structures and acuity. The middle adult should have a normal sense of smell. The middle adult should have normal func-tioning of the cranial nerves.