Just After an Appointment with the Health Care Provider, an Older

Multiple Choice

Just after an appointment with the health care provider, an older adult client asks the nurse, "Why can't I seem to exercise like I did when I was younger? I just don't have the endurance that I did when I was 45, even though I feel good. The health care provider says I'm in good health and can exercise, but do you think there could be something wrong with me?" Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A) "I think you should discuss this further with the health care provider; maybe you need more tests."
B) "As individuals get older, there are normal changes that occur in the body, specifically the heart and lungs, that may contribute to decreased endurance."
C) "The health care provider cleared you for exercise. I'm sure you are fine."
D) "The body undergoes physiologic changes that can affect your endurance, such as decreased cardiac output and increased residual air volume in the lungs."