An 80-year-old patient is admitted for wound care following a surgical procedure. The nurse notes that the patient's skin appears thin and tears easily during dressing changes. Which explanation best describes why older adults are at increased risk for skin breakdown and tissue damage?
- Increased subcutaneous fat in older adults compresses underlying blood vessels, reducing circulation to the skin.
- Older adults experience accelerated collagen formation, which causes the skin to become rigid and inflexible.
- Epidermal cell maturation is delayed in older adults, resulting in thinner skin with decreased elasticity and impaired circulation.
- Older adults produce excess sebum, making the skin overly moist and prone to maceration.