Page 572 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

by the age of 20 years.
b. Person is active.
c. Severe illnesses are less common than in
older age groups.
d. Person tends to ignore physical
symptoms and postpone seeking
health care.

e. Lifestyle habits such as smoking,

stress, lack of exercise, poor personal
hygiene, and family history of disease
increase the risk of future illness.
3. Cognitive changes
a. Person has rational thinking habits.
b. Conceptual, problem-solving, and
motor skills increase.
c. Person identifies preferred occupational
areas.
4. Psychosocial changes
a. Person separates from family of origin.

b. Person gives much attention to

occupational and social pursuits to
improve socioeconomic status.
c. Person makes decisions regarding
career, marriage, and parenthood.
d. Person is able to adapt to new
situations.

5. Sexuality

a. Person has the emotional maturity to
develop mature sexual relationships.
b. Person is at risk for sexually
transmitted infections.
G. Middle adulthood
1. Description: Period between the mid- to late 30s and
mid-60s
2. Physical changes
a. Physical changes occur between 40 and
65 years of age.
b. Individual becomes aware that changes
in reproductive and physical abilities
signify the beginning of another stage
in life.
c. Menopause occurs in women and
climacteric occurs in men.

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