Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because social isolation is not directly related to decreased tactile sensations. A, C, and D are consequences of decreased tactile sensations in older individuals. A can occur due to not feeling the temperature, C due to not feeling pressure and injury, and D due to decreased sensation causing falls. Social isolation is more related to emotional or psychological factors rather than physical sensations. It is crucial to differentiate between physical consequences and social consequences when considering the effects of decreased tactile sensations in older individuals.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Home health care support. This is because having access to home health care support can provide ongoing monitoring, medication management, and assistance with activities of daily living, which can help prevent complications and reduce the need for hospital readmissions. Minimizing polypharmacy (A) is important but may not have as significant an impact as continuous home health care support. Frequent medication adjustments (B) may lead to confusion and potential adverse effects in older adults. Specialized geriatric assessments (D) are beneficial but may not directly address the day-to-day support needed to prevent hospital readmissions.

Correct Answer:

Rationale: Correct Answer: Regular physical activity and healthy diet Rationale: 1. Regular physical activity helps maintain cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and balance in older adults, reducing the risk of falls and chronic diseases. 2. A healthy diet provides essential nutrients for overall health and helps prevent conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. 3. Both components are key in primary prevention by promoting overall well-being, reducing the risk of age-related health issues, and enhancing quality of life. Incorrect Choices: A: Annual health screenings - While important for early detection, screenings alone do not prevent health issues. B: Social isolation prevention programs - Important for mental health, but not primary prevention. C: Routine medication management - Important for managing existing conditions, not primary prevention. D: Memory enhancement exercises - Beneficial for cognitive health but not primary prevention for physical health issues in older adults.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: peripheral arterial disease. Altered level of consciousness in an 81-year-old female is unlikely to be directly caused by peripheral arterial disease. Instead, hypoglycemia, pneumonia, and hypotension from dehydration are common causes of altered mental status in the elderly. Hypoglycemia can lead to brain dysfunction, pneumonia can cause low oxygen levels affecting brain function, and dehydration-induced hypotension can reduce blood flow to the brain. Therefore, peripheral arterial disease is not typically a direct cause of altered consciousness in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Pneumonia. Older adults are more susceptible to pneumonia due to weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. Pneumonia can lead to severe complications, requiring hospitalization. Osteoarthritis (A) primarily affects joints and does not typically lead to hospitalization. Stroke (B) and heart failure (D) are serious conditions but may not be as common for hospitalization as pneumonia in older adults. Pneumonia's impact on the respiratory system and its ability to progress rapidly make it the most common reason for hospitalization in this population.