American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What do nails experience as they age?

1. Increased growth rate

2. Shrinking size

3. Slow rate of growth

4. Loss of color

The correct answer is: Slow rate of growth

As nails age, their growth rate tends to slow down due to various physiological changes within the body. This slower rate of growth can result from factors such as reduced blood circulation, changes in nutritional absorption, and hormonal shifts. With age, the production of keratin, the protein that makes up nails, may also decrease, further contributing to this phenomenon. While other aspects such as nail appearance may change over time, like losing some color or becoming brittle, the defining characteristic related to their growth is that they experience a decrease in the rate at which they grow. Understanding this aspect is crucial for those in the medical and cosmetic fields, as it informs how to care for older patients or clients and manage nail health effectively.