HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

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Prepare for the HESI Health Assessment Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Understand each topic with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

In assessing an 80-year-old man who is confined to a wheelchair, which is true regarding anthropometric measures?

Changes in fat distribution will affect the waist-to-hip ratio.
Height measurements may not be accurate because of changes in bone.
Declining muscle mass will affect the triceps skinfold measure.
Mid-arm circumference is difficult to obtain because of loss of skin elasticity.

The correct answer is: Height measurements may not be accurate because of changes in bone.

Height measurements may not be accurate in an 80-year-old man confined to a wheelchair due to age-related changes in bone structure. As people age, particularly older adults, it is common for them to experience height loss attributable to factors such as vertebral compression, osteoporosis, and other degenerative changes in the spine and skeletal structure. These changes can lead to a decrease in overall height, which can complicate the accuracy of height measurements taken in a traditional standing position. Since individuals in wheelchairs may not be able to stand, the usual methods of obtaining height may not be feasible, necessitating alternate methods for height estimation that are less reliable. This understanding highlights the importance of considering the impacts of aging on physical measurements when conducting health assessments in older adults, as accurate anthropometric measures are essential for evaluating nutritional status and health risks.