The nurse assessing the older population needs to have a basic understanding of which of the following?a. The economic status of the area b. The...

All of the above! Let's justify these choices one at a
time. Economic status is an important indicator of overall wellness in any population in
the US. Economic status drives nutritional status and also drives access to health care,
including preventive care. So knowing the financial status of the group you are working
with can help understand their needs and
concerns.

Understanding what is and is not normal for any
population is the basis of health assessment. How can one possibly know is a person is
healthy without having a baseline to compare to?

Sexual
dysfunction is very common among the elderly. We hear a lot about erectile dysfunction
through advertising, but very little is said about the fact that it can be an indicator
of serious underlying health issues such as diabetes or arteriosclerosis. Also,
sexuality is an important component of mental health.

Heart
disease is the number one killer in the US. All nurses need to be knowledgeable about
the signs and symptoms of this condition, and the elderly are of course at high risk
because poor lifestyle choices add up over time.