Question

an 83 - year - old resident of an extended - care home has begun displaying uncharacteristic confusion over the past 48 hours, and a new infection is suspected. however, the nurse has documented that the client’s temperature is within normal limits. when performing further assessments of this client, the nurse should understand that: infections have a much slower onset in older adults than in younger adults. older adults may present atypical signs and symptoms of infection. older adults typically have more antibodies to fight infection than do younger adults. laboratory testing is usually the only indicator of infection in older adults.

Explanation:

As people age, their immune systems and physiological responses change. Older adults may not show the classic signs of infection like a fever. Instead, they might present with atypical symptoms such as confusion. This is because of age - related changes in the body's ability to mount a typical immune response.

Answer:

older adults may present atypical signs and symptoms of infection.