During a routine physical examination, a middle-aged female client reports concern about the weight gained over the past 2 years despite not having made any significant changes in diet or exercise patterns

Question

The nurse understands that which of the following factors may be responsible for the client's reported changes in weight? 1. The client's increasing hormone levels
2. The client's increase in body mass index
3. The reduction in muscle nerve conduction
4. The hormonal changes of the female climacteric

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: During this client's stage of development, there is a reduction, not an increase, in hormone levels as menopause (the female climacteric) approaches.
Rationale 2: Body mass index is determined by height and weight, but is not responsible for weight changes.
Rationale 3: The changes in muscle and nerve development are not directly implicated in the body changes being reported.
Rationale 4: Decreased hormone production results in an increase in body weight. The amount of adipose tissue also increases.