AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN OLDER ADULT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN OLDER ADULT STUDY
GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
Cardiovascular changes - correct answer ✔✔Decrease in cardiac output
Increased blood pressure
Decreased pacemaker cells
Loss of elasticity
Nursing interventions for normal cardiovascular changes - correct answer ✔✔elevate extremities
rise in stages
exercise
heart-healthy diet
small frequent meals
avoid straining BMs
Respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔Decreased gas exchange
Decreased cough efficiency
increase in residual lung volume
Decrease in muscle strength and vital capacity
What to assess concerning normal respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔mental status changes
(insufficient O2 to brain)
low respiration rate
dehydration
Dry membranes
Nursing interventions for normal respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔increase fluid intake
smoking cessation
pneumonia vaccines
encourage activity
Avoid sick people
turn, cough, deep breathe
Changes to skin... - correct answer ✔✔reduce tolerance to temp extremes, sun exposure, and increases
risk of injury
Normal integumentary changes - correct answer ✔✔SubQ fat decreases
Skin becomes drier
Melanocytes cluster
Skin tags
decreased elastin (wrinkling/sagging)
Hair color changes/ Balding
Nursing interventions for normal skin changes - correct answer ✔✔use sunscreen
, encourage fluids and good nutrition
don't bathe as often
moisturize
Normal changes in female reproductive system - correct answer ✔✔menopause decreases
estrogen/progesterone
vagina less elastic/shortens
vaginal dryness, itching
atrophy of uterus/ovaries
decreased muscle tone
Interventions for normal female reproductive changes - correct answer ✔✔teach to lubricate
kegel exercises
watch for vaginal infection
teach routine mammograms over 40, and PAP smears
may need hormone replacement therapy
Normal changes in male reproductive system - correct answer ✔✔testes less firm but still fertile
over 50 testosterone diminishes
prostate gland enlarges
Interventions for normal male reproductive changes - correct answer ✔✔teach to get prostate screening
and PSA tests anually
difficulty urinating
Normal genitourinary changes - correct answer ✔✔Kidneys don't filter as well
Tubes don't reabsorb as well, resulting in concentrated urine
Bladder capacity decreases
Loss of bladder tone
Interventions for normal genitourinary changes - correct answer ✔✔less fluids in evening
no caffeine/alcohol/fake sweeteners
kegel exercises
wear easily removable clothing
know signs of UTI
Normal changes to GI system - correct answer ✔✔gums recede, teeth loosen
more cavities
gag reflex depresses
decreased sense of thirst, smell, and taste
decreased salivation
delayed stomach emptying
reduced GI motility
Interventions for normal GI changes - correct answer ✔✔increase fluids, high fiber diet
oral care
avoid heavy activity after meals
caution with laxative and antacid use
ANSWERS | AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN OLDER ADULT STUDY
GUIDE & PRACTICE TEST 2026/2027
Cardiovascular changes - correct answer ✔✔Decrease in cardiac output
Increased blood pressure
Decreased pacemaker cells
Loss of elasticity
Nursing interventions for normal cardiovascular changes - correct answer ✔✔elevate extremities
rise in stages
exercise
heart-healthy diet
small frequent meals
avoid straining BMs
Respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔Decreased gas exchange
Decreased cough efficiency
increase in residual lung volume
Decrease in muscle strength and vital capacity
What to assess concerning normal respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔mental status changes
(insufficient O2 to brain)
low respiration rate
dehydration
Dry membranes
Nursing interventions for normal respiratory changes - correct answer ✔✔increase fluid intake
smoking cessation
pneumonia vaccines
encourage activity
Avoid sick people
turn, cough, deep breathe
Changes to skin... - correct answer ✔✔reduce tolerance to temp extremes, sun exposure, and increases
risk of injury
Normal integumentary changes - correct answer ✔✔SubQ fat decreases
Skin becomes drier
Melanocytes cluster
Skin tags
decreased elastin (wrinkling/sagging)
Hair color changes/ Balding
Nursing interventions for normal skin changes - correct answer ✔✔use sunscreen
, encourage fluids and good nutrition
don't bathe as often
moisturize
Normal changes in female reproductive system - correct answer ✔✔menopause decreases
estrogen/progesterone
vagina less elastic/shortens
vaginal dryness, itching
atrophy of uterus/ovaries
decreased muscle tone
Interventions for normal female reproductive changes - correct answer ✔✔teach to lubricate
kegel exercises
watch for vaginal infection
teach routine mammograms over 40, and PAP smears
may need hormone replacement therapy
Normal changes in male reproductive system - correct answer ✔✔testes less firm but still fertile
over 50 testosterone diminishes
prostate gland enlarges
Interventions for normal male reproductive changes - correct answer ✔✔teach to get prostate screening
and PSA tests anually
difficulty urinating
Normal genitourinary changes - correct answer ✔✔Kidneys don't filter as well
Tubes don't reabsorb as well, resulting in concentrated urine
Bladder capacity decreases
Loss of bladder tone
Interventions for normal genitourinary changes - correct answer ✔✔less fluids in evening
no caffeine/alcohol/fake sweeteners
kegel exercises
wear easily removable clothing
know signs of UTI
Normal changes to GI system - correct answer ✔✔gums recede, teeth loosen
more cavities
gag reflex depresses
decreased sense of thirst, smell, and taste
decreased salivation
delayed stomach emptying
reduced GI motility
Interventions for normal GI changes - correct answer ✔✔increase fluids, high fiber diet
oral care
avoid heavy activity after meals
caution with laxative and antacid use
