Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is b) muscle wasting and weakness. This condition is associated with end-of-life stages due to diseases that cause muscle atrophy, such as cancer, AIDS, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, leading to a significant loss of muscle mass and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physical manifestations of approaching death in regard to the Musculoskeletal System often include muscle wasting and weakness. Conditions like cancer and AIDS can lead to a body wasting syndrome known as cachexia, where there is significant loss of body mass, including muscle tissue, which leads to pronounced weakness. In the context of chronic diseases such as congestive heart failure or liver disease, skeletal muscle atrophy can occur, further contributing to decreased muscle function and strength.
Additionally, in patients who are immobile or suffering from prolonged periods of inactivity, muscle weakening and atrophy are also common. Similarly, malnutrition can have severe effects on the musculoskeletal system, leading to weakened bones and muscles. The ability of muscles to contract and pull on the bones for activities like walking or grasping is severely compromised with advanced musculoskeletal diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is characterized by progressive weakening of the skeletal muscles due to inadequate levels of dystrophin, causing muscle damage over time.
Therefore, the correct answer reflecting these changes in the musculoskeletal system as death approaches is b) muscle wasting and weakness.