Final answer:
When positioning an aging patient, it's important to consider skeletal changes, limited joint mobility, and tissue fragility. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are conditions that can affect the skeletal system and contribute to frailty in aging individuals, necessitating careful handling.
Step-by-step explanation:
When positioning an aging patient, it is essential to consider D. all of the above: skeletal changes, limited range of motion in joints, and tissue fragility. As individuals age, there can be progressive reduction in bone density which can lead to skeletal weakness and osteoporotic fractures. Mobility tends to decrease due to changes in joints such as the development of osteoarthritis, which restricts the range of motion.
In addition to brittle bones, older patients may experience changes that make their tissues more fragile, increasing the risk of injury from repositioning. As a result, careful handling and consideration of these factors are mandatory when positioning an aging patient to prevent discomfort and potential injuries.