Recognizing the Prevalence and Incidence of Dehydration Among Older Adults

Multiple Choice

Recognizing the prevalence and incidence of dehydration among older adults, a care aide at a long-term care facility is in the habit of encouraging residents to drink even though they may not feel thirsty at the time. Which of the following facts underlies the care aide's advice?

A) Older adults often experience a decrease in the sensation of thirst, even when serum sodium levels are high.
B) The metabolic needs for both fluid and sodium in older adults differ from those of younger individuals.
C) Regulation and maintenance of effective circulating volume by the kidneys is less effective in the elderly.
D) The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is less able to facilitate sodium clearance in older adults.