The nurse is providing assistance at a community health fair for middle-aged clients. Which information should the nurse use when working with this group of clients?

Question

1. The middle-aged person has decreased intellectual and cognitive abilities as a result of the normal aging process.
2. Adults make the transition into this stage easily and without problems.
3. Physical capabilities and functions decrease with age, but mental and social capacities tend to increase in the latter part of life.
4. Cognitive and intellectual abilities are somewhat decreased due to slower reaction time, loss of memory, and changes in perception and problem solving.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Cognitive and intellectual abilities change very little during this time.
Rationale 2: Transition into middle life can be as critical as during adolescence. Some refer to the "midlife crisis" and call the decade between 35 and 45 years the "deadline decade."
Rationale 3: Physical capabilities and functions do decrease with age, but mental and social capacities actually increase in the latter part of life.
Rationale 4: Cognitive and intellectual abilities change very little during this time.