A family member is accompanying the elderly patient to their follow-up appointment after a recent hospitalization for gastrointestinal problems.The nurse interrupts a discussion between the family member and the patient regarding rancid food in the patient's refrigerator.The family member looks at the nurse and states,"She was trying to eat spoiled food for lunch,it spelled terrible,and she still wanted to eat it." What is the most likely physiological reason that the patient not realizes that the food is spoiled?

A) She has xerostomia.
B) She has a diminished sense of smell.
C) She has a diminished sense of taste.
D) She has a limited vision.

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Alisha Piscopo · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  Olfactory changes begin around age 50 and include a loss of cells in the olfactory bulb of the brain and a decrease in the number of sensory cells in the nasal lining.Reduced sensitivity to odors is common.A small decrease in the number of taste cells occurs with aging,beginning around age 60.Reduced sour,salty,and bitter taste discrimination is common.The ability to detect sweet tastes seems to remain intact.Xerostomia is the decrease in salivary production that leads to thicker mucus and a dry mouth.This interferes with the ability to eat and leads to appetite and nutritional problems.

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