A nurse is reviewing the chart of an 82-year-old patient admitted for a hip fracture. The nurse notes that the patient has thin, fragile skin and a history of prolonged immobility. Which explanation best describes why older adults have an increased risk for tissue damage from pressure?
- The subcutaneous layer thickens with age, compressing blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the dermis.
- Epidermal cell maturation is delayed in older adults, and circulation and collagen formation are impaired, reducing elasticity and resistance to pressure.
- Older adults experience overhydration of skin cells, which weakens the dermal layer and increases susceptibility to pressure injuries.
- Older adults produce excess collagen, which causes the skin to become too rigid and prone to cracking.