National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

How might an elderly patient with a stage III pressure ulcer differ from a younger patient with the same ulcer?

1. Decreased vascular and immune responses

2. Increased scarring with healing

3. Increased elasticity and eccrine sweating

4. Increased vascular responses with erythema

The correct answer is: Decreased vascular and immune responses

An elderly patient with a stage III pressure ulcer is likely to exhibit decreased vascular and immune responses compared to a younger patient with the same ulcer. As individuals age, various physiological changes occur, such as reduced blood flow and impaired wound healing mechanisms. The vascular system often becomes less efficient, leading to decreased perfusion at the cellular level. Additionally, the immune response in older adults can be blunted, which affects the body’s ability to respond to infection and inflammation, both of which are critical in the healing process of pressure ulcers. This diminished response can contribute to prolonged wound healing times and may increase the risk of complications such as infections. In contrast, younger patients generally have better vascularity and a more robust immune system, which supports more efficient wound healing and recovery. In understanding the context of the other choices, increased scarring with healing might be more pronounced in some populations, and increased elasticity and eccrine sweating would typically be associated with younger skin. The statement regarding increased vascular responses with erythema does not align with the known vascular changes associated with aging, which typically reflect a decrease rather than an increase in vascular response.