During an assessment of an 82-year-old woman, a gerontological nurse learns that the woman has lost over 4 inches in height over the last several years.

Which of the following factors have likely contributed to this phenomenon? Select all that apply.

A) The woman's overall proportion of body water has decreased.

B) The client has experienced a loss of cartilage.

C) The woman's thyroid hormone levels have declined since the sixth decade.

D) The client's vertebrae have thinned.

E) Loss of stature is a consequence of the woman's diet.

F) The woman's long bones have decreased in length.

A and D

Explanation: In old age, dehydration and compression of the disc between the vertebrae in the spine causes reduction in height.  The loss of bone density (osteoporosis) can also make the spine to become more curved, and make the vertebrae to collapse due to thinning that is caused by overall decrease in body water. This can be the reason for the reduction in height of the patient.

A, B and D

Explanation: Old age comes with changes in couple of anatomical and physiological processes,during ageing alot of body metabolism decline leading a noticeable change in the structure and functions of the body tissues,organs and the whole body system in general.

Reduced hydration,loss of cartilage,and thinning of vertebrae can all contribute to loss of stature during ageing process.