A 73-Year-Old Man Comes to the Clinic Complaining of Weakness

Multiple Choice

A 73-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of weakness and loss of sensation in his feet and legs. Assessment of the patient shows decreased reflexes bilaterally. Why would it be a challenge to diagnose a peripheral neuropathy in this patient?

A) Older adults are often vague historians.
B) The elderly have fewer peripheral nerves than younger adults.
C) Many older adults are hesitant to admit that their body is changing.
D) Many symptoms can be the result of normal aging process.