NCLEX Questions on Older Adults Related

Review NCLEX Questions on Older Adults related questions and content

After performing an assessment and determining that there are no other causes, the nurse concludes that the older adult’s recent hearing loss in one ear may be from cerumen accumulation from age-related changes. The nurse’s conclusion was based on which age-related changes that contribute to the cerumen accumulation?

  • A. Reduced sweat gland activity; thinning and drying of the skin lining the ear canal
  • B. Ossicular bone calcification; longer and thicker hair growth in the ear canal
  • C. Degenerative structural changes of the eardrum preventing cerumen passage
  • D. Over activity of the sweat glands contributing to the development of presbycusis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Reduced sweat gland activity and thinning/drying of the ear canal skin cause cerumen buildup, affecting sound perception. Ossicular calcification, eardrum changes, and presbycusis are unrelated.