A nurse is assisting with developing a plan of care for an older client to help maintain an adequate sleep pattern. Which action should the nurse suggest be included in the plan?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To help maintain an adequate sleep pattern in older clients, it is essential to include activities that promote relaxation and a conducive sleep environment. Encouraging bedtime reading or listening to music can help the client unwind and prepare for sleep. Daytime naps should be discouraged to ensure a better nighttime sleep. Social interaction, especially positive interactions, can be beneficial and should not be discouraged. The use of a nightlight can create a safe and comfortable environment for the client, so it should not be discouraged unless specifically contraindicated.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Sexual dysfunction is not a normal process of aging. The prevalence of chronic illness and medication use is higher among older adults than in the younger population. Illnesses and medications can interfere with the normal sexual function of older men and women. It is crucial to assess the medications the client is taking as they could be contributing to the reported sexual dysfunction. While documenting the concern and informing the healthcare provider are important steps, the immediate priority is to gather information on the medications that could be impacting the client's sexual function. Therefore, the nurse's next action should be to ask the client about the medications he is taking.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: During peak influenza season, older clients should take measures to reduce the risk of contracting the flu. The most effective preventive measure is frequent hand hygiene and refraining from touching the face, as this reduces the transmission of the flu virus. While it is advisable to avoid crowds, the direct action of hand hygiene is more impactful. Doing errands early in the morning when crowds are smaller is a good suggestion to reduce exposure but does not address the direct transmission through hands. Drinking enough fluid daily is important for overall health but does not directly reduce the risk of contracting influenza.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Decreased older client's ability to clear secretions.' Respiratory changes related to the normal aging process decrease an older adult's ability to clear secretions and protect the airway. In healthy older adults, the number of alveoli does not change significantly; their structure, however, is altered. Respiratory system compliance decreases with advancing age because of a progressive loss of elastic recoil of the lung parenchyma and conducting airways, and reduced elastic recoil of the lung and opposing forces of the chest wall. Production of surfactant in the lung does not usually decrease with aging, nor does it increase. However, the production of alveolar cells responsible for surfactant production is diminished. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because respiratory system compliance decreases with aging. Choice B is incorrect as the number of alveoli does not significantly decrease in healthy older adults. Choice D is incorrect as the production of surfactant does not usually decrease with aging.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A loss of melanin occurs in the normal aging process.' Graying hair in older adults is primarily due to a decrease in the number of melanocytes responsible for providing pigment and hair color. This reduction in melanin production leads to gray hair. The other choices are incorrect. While it is true that the skin becomes thinner with aging and the number of sweat glands and blood vessels decreases, these changes are not directly related to graying hair. Additionally, hereditary factors can influence when graying starts, but they do not cause the graying of hair itself.