To assist older adults to meet their needs for sexuality, the nurse sh

To assist older adults to meet their needs for sexuality, the nurse should recognize that the great-est impact on the sexuality of older adults is:

1. Therapeutic medications may alter sexual function
2. Sexual interest declines and then fades completely with age
3. Physiological changes do not adversely influence sexual activity
4. Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is no longer an issue

ANSWER

ANS: 1
Many older adults use prescription medications that depress sexual activity, such as antihyperten-sives, antidepressants, sedatives, or hypnotics. Some drugs increase libido in older adults. For example, phenothiazines increase sexual desire in women, and levodopa has a similar effect in men. It is a common misconception that older adults are not interested in sex. The older adult’s libido does not decrease, although frequency of sexual activity may decline. Physiological changes may have an adverse influence on sexual activity. The older man may experience de-creased firmness in his erection, a decreased need for ejaculation with orgasm, or a longer recov-ery period between episodes of intercourse. The older woman may experience vaginal dryness. Information about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases should be included when ap-propriate.