Question

The nurse is completing a physical exam for a 45-year-old client who has come to the family practice office. In evaluating the observations made during the examination, the nurse recognizes that an expected finding for a client in this age-group is:

1. Hepatomegaly
2. Visual acuity below 20/50
3. An oral temperature of 39° C
4. Increased amount of skin turgor

Answer 1

For a 45-year-old client during a physical exam, the expected finding is a decrease in visual acuity. The middle adulthood phase is associated with reduced skin elasticity, the appearance of wrinkles, and changes in visual acuity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is completing a physical exam for a 45-year-old client who has come to the family practice office. An expected finding for a client in this age group is a decrease in visual acuity, as described in the provided reference materials. Middle adulthood extends from the 40s to the 60s, and during this time, the skin loses some elasticity, and wrinkles become apparent. Additionally, visual acuity typically decreases, making option 2 'Visual acuity below 20/50' the expected finding.

Options 1 (Hepatomegaly), 3 (An oral temperature of 39° C), and 4 (Increased amount of skin turgor) are not typically expected findings in middle age and may indicate underlying health issues that would require further medical assessment.