Physiological Changes Style Questions
NCLEX-style questions on age-related physiologic changes: skin, heart, lungs, GI, neuro, senses & more. Includes causes, symptoms, treatments & nursing care—ideal for board exam prep.
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Integumentary System
1. An 80-year-old patient presents with dry, flaky skin. What age-related change in the-
integumentary system is most likely responsible?
Answer: Decreased sebaceous and sweat gland function.
2. A nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which finding is most likely due to decreased-
vascularity of the dermis?
Answer: Increased palor in white skin.
3. A patient with senile lentigo is concerned about the brown spots on their skin. What-
should the nurse explain about these Lesions?
Answer: They a r e a common age-related change due to increased localized pigmentation.
4. An older adult is at increased risk for pressure ulcers due to which age-related change?
Answer: Decreased thickness of the epidermis and decreased subcutaneous fat.
5. An older adult reports experiencing frequent episodes of itching. What nursing-
intervention is appropriate to address this concern?
Answer: Modify skin care to reduce drying and refer to a dermatologist if necessary.
6. Which of the following is a common type of inflammation seen in older adults?
Answer: Rosacea.
7. An older adult is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of shingles. What is the most-
likely causative agent?
1. An 80-year-old patient presents with dry, flaky skin. What age-related change in the-
integumentary system is most likely responsible?
Answer: Decreased sebaceous and sweat gland function.
2. A nurse is assessing an older adult's skin. Which finding is most likely due to decreased-
vascularity of the dermis?
Answer: Increased palor in white skin.
3. A patient with senile lentigo is concerned about the brown spots on their skin. What-
should the nurse explain about these Lesions?
Answer: They a r e a common age-related change due to increased localized pigmentation.
4. An older adult is at increased risk for pressure ulcers due to which age-related change?
Answer: Decreased thickness of the epidermis and decreased subcutaneous fat.
5. An older adult reports experiencing frequent episodes of itching. What nursing-
intervention is appropriate to address this concern?
Answer: Modify skin care to reduce drying and refer to a dermatologist if necessary.
6. Which of the following is a common type of inflammation seen in older adults?
Answer: Rosacea.
7. An older adult is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of shingles. What is the most-
likely causative agent?
Answer: Varicella-zoster virus.
8. What is the primary reason for an older adult r s increased risk of hypothermia?
Answer: Decreased subcutaneous tissue, reducing their ability to regulate body temperature.
Musculoskeletal System
9. A patient with osteoporosis is at increased risk for which type of fracture?
Answer: Vertebral fracture.
10. What is the most common medication category used to treat osteoporosis?
Answer: Antiresorptive medications.
11. An older adult complainsof pain and stiffness intheirjoints, particularly after rest. What-
condition is most likely responsible?
Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis.
12. What is the primary cause of osteoarthritis?
Answer: The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include age, obesity, joint injury, and genetics.
13. Whatis a Heberden's node?
Answer: A bony enlargement on the distal finger joint, often associated with osteoarthritis.
14. What is the primary treatment goal for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: To reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and maintain independence.
15. What is the most common symptom of bursitis?
Answer: Joint stiffness and pain.
16. What dietary recommendations are appropriate for a patient with gouty arthritis?
Answer: Reduce body weight and decrease intake of alcohol and purine-rich foods.
Respiratory System
17. What age-related change in the respiratory system contributes to a decreased ability to-
humidify air?
8. What is the primary reason for an older adult r s increased risk of hypothermia?
Answer: Decreased subcutaneous tissue, reducing their ability to regulate body temperature.
Musculoskeletal System
9. A patient with osteoporosis is at increased risk for which type of fracture?
Answer: Vertebral fracture.
10. What is the most common medication category used to treat osteoporosis?
Answer: Antiresorptive medications.
11. An older adult complainsof pain and stiffness intheirjoints, particularly after rest. What-
condition is most likely responsible?
Answer: Rheumatoid arthritis.
12. What is the primary cause of osteoarthritis?
Answer: The exact cause is unknown, but risk factors include age, obesity, joint injury, and genetics.
13. Whatis a Heberden's node?
Answer: A bony enlargement on the distal finger joint, often associated with osteoarthritis.
14. What is the primary treatment goal for rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: To reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and maintain independence.
15. What is the most common symptom of bursitis?
Answer: Joint stiffness and pain.
16. What dietary recommendations are appropriate for a patient with gouty arthritis?
Answer: Reduce body weight and decrease intake of alcohol and purine-rich foods.
Respiratory System
17. What age-related change in the respiratory system contributes to a decreased ability to-
humidify air?
Answer: Decreased body fluids.
18. An older adult is at increased risk for respiratory infections due to which age-related-
change?
Answer: Decreased number of macrophages.
19. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to address an olderadult's decreased-
ability to breathe deeply?
Answer: Encourage incentive spirometer use.
20. What is the primary characteristic of emphysema?
Answer: Changes in alveolar structure, leading to overinflation and ineffective gas exchange.
21. What is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis?
Answer: Chronic irritation, often due to smoking or environmental pollutants.
22. What is the primary mode of transmission for tuberculosis?
Answer: Airborne droplets.
23. What is the most common risk factor for lung cancer?
Answer 1, obaccu smoke.
Cardiovascular System
24. What age-related change in the cardiovascular system contributes to decreased tissue-
oxygenation?
Answer: Decreased cardiac muscle tone.
25. What is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease in older adults?
Answer: Chest pain, but it may also present as vague gastrointestinal discomfort or shortness of-
breath.
26. What is the primary cause of heart block?
Answer: Disruption of the electrical conduction system of the heart, often due to fibrotic tissue-
infiltration or myocardial infarction.
27. What is the most common type of conduction disorder seen in older adults?
Answer: Sinus node dysfunction, also known as sick sinus syndrome.
18. An older adult is at increased risk for respiratory infections due to which age-related-
change?
Answer: Decreased number of macrophages.
19. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate to address an olderadult's decreased-
ability to breathe deeply?
Answer: Encourage incentive spirometer use.
20. What is the primary characteristic of emphysema?
Answer: Changes in alveolar structure, leading to overinflation and ineffective gas exchange.
21. What is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis?
Answer: Chronic irritation, often due to smoking or environmental pollutants.
22. What is the primary mode of transmission for tuberculosis?
Answer: Airborne droplets.
23. What is the most common risk factor for lung cancer?
Answer 1, obaccu smoke.
Cardiovascular System
24. What age-related change in the cardiovascular system contributes to decreased tissue-
oxygenation?
Answer: Decreased cardiac muscle tone.
25. What is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease in older adults?
Answer: Chest pain, but it may also present as vague gastrointestinal discomfort or shortness of-
breath.
26. What is the primary cause of heart block?
Answer: Disruption of the electrical conduction system of the heart, often due to fibrotic tissue-
infiltration or myocardial infarction.
27. What is the most common type of conduction disorder seen in older adults?
Answer: Sinus node dysfunction, also known as sick sinus syndrome.
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