An 85-year-old patient comments during his annual physical examination that he seems to be getting shorter as he ages.The nurse should explain that decreased height occurs with aging because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Postural changes are evident with aging; decreased height is most noticeable and is caused by shortening of the vertebral column.Long bones do not shorten with age.Intervertebral discs actually get thinner with age.Subcutaneous fat is not lost but is redistributed to the abdomen and hips.

An 85-Year-Old Patient Comments During His Annual Physical Examination That