An older patient complains about increasing dry skin. What should the nurse explain to the patient about this skin problem? Select all that apply.

Question

1. There is a reduction in sebum production as the body ages.
2. There is a decrease in the number of sweat glands in the body with aging.
3. There is a change in the keratinization and lipid content in the stratum corneum.
4. There is an increase in body core temperature with aging, resulting in skin drying.
5. There is a change in the structure of the skin cell because of years of using alcohol-based soaps.

Answer 1

1. There is a reduction in sebum production as the body ages.
3. There is a change in the keratinization and lipid content in the stratum corneum.

Explanation: 1. Sebum is an oily substance that keeps hair supple and lubricates the skin. Sebum protects the skin from water loss and provides protection against infection. Sebaceous glands increase in size with age, but the amount of sebum produced is decreased. This would explain why the older patient is experiencing increasingly dry skin.
2. The number of sweat glands does decrease with aging but does not have a role in the reduction of the production of sebum.
3. Changes in the keratinization process and lipid content in the stratum corneum cause the flaking appearance and dry sensation of the skin.
4. Changes in body temperature do not impact the dryness of the older patient's skin.
5. The older patient's complaint of increasingly dry skin is not because of years of using alcohol-based soaps.