Final answer:
Geriatric patients may experience changes in the classic signs and symptoms of diseases and injuries due to physiological changes associated with aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
As individuals age, their bodies undergo various changes that affect their susceptibility to diseases and injuries. In geriatric patients, classic signs and symptoms of certain diseases and injuries may present differently or be masked due to physiological changes associated with aging. For example, geriatric patients may have a higher incidence of heart diseases, respiratory syndromes, and type 2 diabetes, which may present with atypical symptoms or be mistaken for other conditions. Additionally, wound healing is slower in the elderly, and their immune system may be less efficient in fighting off pathogens, leading to a higher risk of infections.