A 70-year-old man is convalescing at home after a hip replacement. Which aging-related physical change contributes to the risk of developing decubitus ulcers?

A 70-year-old man is convalescing at home after a hip replacement. Which aging-related physical change contributes to the risk of developing decubitus ulcers?

• A. Increased elasticity of skin
• B. Increased subcutaneous fat
• C. Thinning of the skin with loss of elasticity
• D. Thickened epidermis

Answer: (C)

The main concept here is that aging skin loses thickness and elasticity, which weakens its ability to withstand sustained pressure and friction. In a person who is immobile after a hip replacement, constant pressure over bony prominences reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to ischemia and tissue breakdown—the decubitus ulcer. Thinning of the epidermis and dermis means less protective barrier and less tensile strength, so even normal pressure or minor shear can cause damage and slow healing in older adults. The other changes described do not fit aging patterns that increase risk: greater skin elasticity would not make skin more vulnerable, a thicker epidermis would resist breakdown, and increased subcutaneous fat would tend to cushion and reduce risk rather than contribute to it (while in aging, padding often decreases).

The main concept here is that aging skin loses thickness and elasticity, which weakens its ability to withstand sustained pressure and friction. In a person who is immobile after a hip replacement, constant pressure over bony prominences reduces blood flow to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to ischemia and tissue breakdown—the decubitus ulcer. Thinning of the epidermis and dermis means less protective barrier and less tensile strength, so even normal pressure or minor shear can cause damage and slow healing in older adults. The other changes described do not fit aging patterns that increase risk: greater skin elasticity would not make skin more vulnerable, a thicker epidermis would resist breakdown, and increased subcutaneous fat would tend to cushion and reduce risk rather than contribute to it (while in aging, padding often decreases).