The nurse is counseling a middle-aged couple regarding hormonal shifts that occur during middle age. His wife has told him that both men and women experience decreasing hormonal production during middle adulthood, and he asks the nurse if this is true

Question

Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. "Your wife has obtained some incorrect data."
2. "Why do you ask?"
3. "Your hormonal levels increase, not decrease with age."
4. "Your wife is correct. Both men and women experience a decrease in hormone production with aging."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4

The statement by the nurse, "Your wife is correct, both men and women experience a decrease in hormone production with aging" accurately describes changes that take place in the middle-age years. During menopause, which usually occurs between ages 40 and 55, the ovaries decrease in size, and the uterus becomes smaller and firmer. Progesterone is not produced and estrogen levels fall. Men also have a decrease in hormonal production and experience a gradual decrease in testosterone. Hormone levels in men and women do not increase with aging. Responding by asking another question such as "Why do you ask?" does not answer the initial question asked by the husband of the couple. It is most appropriate for the nurse to answer the husband's question first and later explore his concerns.