Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about skin changes in the older adult client with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as benign, age-related changes commonly seen in older adult clients?

a) Increased collagen production
b) Decreased skin dryness
c) Decreased skin elasticity
d) Increased sebum production

Answer 1

Decreased skin elasticity is a common benign age-related change in older adults due to decreased collagen production, leading to skin wrinkling and other changes such as thinner hair and nails, reduced sebum, and sweat production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify decreased skin elasticity as a benign, age-related change commonly seen in older adult clients. As individuals age, several changes occur in the integumentary system. There is a decreased production of collagen in the dermis which leads to the breakdown of the skin's structure, decreased elasticity, and consequently, wrinkling of the skin. Furthermore, other accessory structures such as hair and nails become thinner, and there are reduced amounts of sebum and sweat, which affect the skin's moisture and can lead to dryness. Melanocytes as well tend to be less active in older adults, which can result in a paler skin tone.