basic geriatric nursing 8th edition test bank Related

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Which physiological change in the brain is the reason the nurse allows more time for answering questions with older adults?

  • A. Increased secretion of cholinesterase
  • B. Decreased secretion of neurotransmitters
  • C. Loss of spinal cord and brainstem neurons
  • D. Atrophy of dendrites in the cerebral cortex
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Atrophy of dendrites in the cerebral cortex. With aging, there is a natural decline in brain volume and synaptic connections, leading to reduced dendritic branching and synaptic density in the cerebral cortex. This affects processing speed and cognitive functions, requiring more time for older adults to respond to questions.

Rationale:
A: Increased secretion of cholinesterase is not a physiological change associated with aging that would require more time for answering questions.
B: Decreased secretion of neurotransmitters may occur with aging but is not the primary reason for slower processing speed in older adults.
C: Loss of spinal cord and brainstem neurons is not the main factor influencing older adults' response time to questions compared to atrophy of dendrites in the cerebral cortex.