A nurse is performing a physical examination on an older-adult client

A nurse is performing a physical examination on an older-adult client in an assisted living facility. On completion of the examination, the nurse compares the results to findings expected for indi-viduals in this age-group.

An expected finding for this client is:
1. Increased tactile responsiveness
2. Increased sensitivity to visual glare
3. Increased hearing acuity for higher tones
4. Increased thoracic expansion during ventilation

ANSWER

ANS: 2
A common physiological change in the older-adult client is an increased sensitivity to glare. In-creased tactile responsiveness would not be an expected finding in the older-adult client. An ex-pected physiological change in the older adult-client is a loss of hearing acuity for high-frequency tones (presbycusis). The older adult has decreased thoracic expansion during ventilation because of musculoskeletal changes.