Question

An 82-year-old female patient admitted in a long-term care facility tells the nurse that she became at least 2 inches shorter in the last couple years. The nurse understands that she became shorter because of the following: (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY)

A. Postural changes associated with aging

B. Lower back pain and joint stiffness

C. Intervertebral discs thinning

D. Bone resorption an ongoing osteoporosis

E. Possible untreated congenital deformities

Answer 1

A,postural changes associated with aging

From about 30 age onwards,there are gradual changes that take place in women.height is lost in all men and women as they age.on average a person will loss about half inch of height every 10 yrs from their peak height.the loss in height become more pronounced after age 70.there are several factors that predispose us to have altered posture as we age and each will be considered.the back bone and vertebral column is made up of the bones joint like spaces called intervertebral discs and muscles.age has a pronounced effect on all three and over time the back tends to curve forward resulting in an increasingly stooped posture.

B,lower back pain and joint stiffness

In most cases the both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can causes joint stiffness and back pain.this leads to symptoms like height los.

C, intervertebral discs thinning

Intervertebral discs thinning or degeneration affect aging.the disc is dry out and become stiff and weak as they get older.when this happens,the disc compress so there's less space between them. That result in height shrinkage.

D,Bone resorption an ongoing osteoporosis.

Older adult can get shorter because the cartilage between their joints gets worn out and osteoporosis causes the spinal column to become shorter.osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fracture,which can also cause a person to become shorter.

E,possible untreated congenital deformities.

Congenital anomalies are important cause of chronic illness and disability.it is a metabolic dissorder.maternal age is All a risk factors of chromasomal abnormalities, including down syndrome.it is a birth defect.