The nurse is caring for an older patient who has a loss of smell. How does the nurse best describe this phenomenon to the patient?

Question

1. "You have been exposed to a toxin that has stopped your neurotransmitter function."
2. "If the mucus membranes in your nose are damaged, it may affect your sense of smell."
3. "The number of sensory cells increases with age, which lowers your sense of smell."
4. "Allergies, polyps, and viral infections can cause an increased sense of smell."

Answer 1

2. "If the mucus membranes in your nose are damaged, it may affect your sense of smell."

Explanation: 1. The number of neurotransmitters decreases with age and cause loss of smell but this does not cease.
2. Injury of the olfactory mucosa causes changes in olfactory function.
3. With normal age-related changes, the number of sensory cells decreases, causing a loss of smell.
4. A decreased sense of smell can be caused by viral infections, polyps, and allergies in individuals.