Question

A nurse questions an older patient about the age-related changes she has experienced in her connective tissue, which have lessened her mobility. What do these changes most commonly include?

1) Loss of bone, which may cause fragile bones
2) Thickening of the tendons, causing loss of strength
3) Bony deposits in the joints, causing pain and altered movement
4) Hardening of cartilage, causing more friction in joints
5) Diminished energy, causing decreased activity

Answer 1

As people age, they experience various changes in their connective tissue which can affect their mobility. These changes include muscle atrophy, bone loss, and the stiffening of joints due to decreased collagen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Age affects all the tissues and organs of the body. Damaged cells do not regenerate as rapidly as in younger people. Perception of sensation and effectiveness of response are lost in the nervous system. Muscles atrophy, and bones lose mass and become brittle. Collagen decreases in some connective tissue, and joints stiffen.