Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions Related

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The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old male patient. Which assessment finding would be considered normal?

  • A. Decrease in body weight from his younger years
  • B. Decrease in deposits of fat in the cheeks and forearms
  • C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in bilateral knees and hips
  • D. Change in overall body proportion, including a longer trunk and shorter extremities
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In an 80-year-old male patient, the presence of kyphosis (rounded upper back) and flexion in bilateral knees and hips are considered normal age-related changes. These postural changes are commonly seen in older adults due to structural changes in the spine and joints. Option A is incorrect as aging individuals typically experience a decrease in body weight, not an increase. Option B is also incorrect as there is usually a decrease in subcutaneous fat from the face and periphery, rather than an increase in fat deposits in specific areas. Option D is incorrect because the change in overall body proportion with aging usually involves a shorter trunk and relatively longer extremities, not the other way around. This is because long bones do not shorten with age, leading to this characteristic change in body proportions.