The primary reason an older adult client is more likely to develop a p

The primary reason an older adult client is more likely to develop a pressure ulcer on the elbow as compared to a middle-age adult is:

1. A reduced skin elasticity is common in the older adult
2. The attachment between the epidermis and dermis is weaker
3. The older client has less subcutaneous padding on the elbows
4. Older adults have a poor diet that increases risk for pressure ulcers

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Although all the options are related to causes of skin injury in older adults, the hypodermis de-creases in size with age, and so the older client has little subcutaneous padding over bony promi-nences; thus they are more prone to skin breakdown.