Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

Review Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions related questions and content

Elderly patients are more prone to dehydration than younger people because the elderly ___________.

  • A. drink more coffee and tea
  • B. have more stomach mucus production
  • C. have more saliva
  • D. have less sense of thirst
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Elderly patients are prone to dehydration because they have a lower and diminished sense of thirst. This reduced sensation of thirst makes them less likely to drink an adequate amount of fluids, leading to dehydration. While it is true that elderly individuals may also have changes such as decreased stomach mucus production and saliva production, these factors do not directly contribute to dehydration. Drinking more coffee and tea, as mentioned in choice A, is not a consistent behavior among all elderly individuals and is not a primary reason for their increased risk of dehydration.