HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM 200 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED
A+
This comprehensive 200-question practice set is designed for the HESI PN
Gerontology Exam, covering age-related physiological changes, medication
safety, cognitive disorders, chronic disease management, and end-of-life care
in older adults. Every question is completely unique, with no repetition of
clinical scenarios, medications, lab values, or nursing interventions. Topics
include cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal,
renal, and integumentary conditions common in geriatric clients. Each
question includes four multiple-choice options, a correct answer, and a
detailed rationale explaining the underlying pathophysiology or nursing
priority. This resource is intended for supplemental exam preparation only
and is not affiliated with or endorsed by HESI or Elsevier. Use it to reinforce
critical thinking and identify knowledge gaps for exam success.
1. A male client is seen in the clinic for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Which intervention is essential for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the client's
visit?
A) Reeducate the client about limiting fluid intake
B) Reassure the client that his BPH is a non-life-threatening condition
C) Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream
D) Inform the client that there may be a genetic predisposition for male family
members
Answer: C
Rationale: These symptoms may indicate progression of BPH to partial obstruction
of the urethra, a medical emergency, and need to be reported to the health care
provider. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited; hydration needs to be
maintained.
2. The oral temperature of a client with a urinary tract infection is 103° F. Which
intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement first?
A) Instruct the client on proper hygienic practices
B) Observe the color or odor of urine
C) Recheck the temperature rectally
D) Encourage fluid intake
,Answer: D
Rationale: Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower the
temperature as soon as possible.
3. An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to medication use.
When reviewing the client's medical records, the nurse is most likely to find which
factor is correlated with this problem?
A) The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication
B) The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased
C) The client's liver function has decreased since last year
D) The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years
Answer: C
Rationale: With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not cause drug
toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity.
4. The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for signs of
breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What interventions by the PN will
help maintain healthy skin integrity?
A) Keep the client well hydrated
B) Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin
C) Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry
D) Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement
Answer: A
Rationale: Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and
infection.
5. The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for antihypertensive
medication with an older adult. Which statement by the client best indicates
learning has been effective?
A) "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication"
B) "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children"
C) "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some food"
D) "I should get up slowly from a lying or sitting position when I take this
medication"
Answer: D
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications can cause orthostatic hypotension, so the
client should change positions slowly to prevent falls.
,6. The practical nurse (PN) is implementing a self-medication program for an older
resident who is newly admitted to an assisted living community. Which actions
should the PN implement to provide the resident ways to maintain safe medication
administration? (Select all that apply.)
A) Locked medication storage in the client's room
B) Medication Administration Record (MAR)
C) Delivery of adequate supply of medication
D) List of findings indicating medication effectiveness
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: All options are correct. A locked medication storage area promotes
safety. An MAR ensures accurate documentation. An adequate medication supply
prevents missed doses, and a list of findings indicating effectiveness helps monitor
treatment response.
7. Which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should the practical
nurse (PN) document when evaluating an older client? (Select all that apply.)
A) Dyspnea
B) Chest pain
C) Cardiac murmurs
D) Widening pulse pressure
E) Irregular heart rate
Answer: C, D
Rationale: Cardiac murmurs and widening pulse pressure are normal age-related
changes due to stiffening arteries and valve calcification. Dyspnea, chest pain, and
irregular heart rate may indicate pathology and should be investigated.
8. An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community refuses to
eat or join any activities. When evaluating the client further, what should the
practical nurse (PN) focus on during the next examination?
A) Anxiety
B) Depression
C) Anger
D) Physical illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Refusal to eat or engage in activities may indicate depression, a
common issue in older adults transitioning to assisted living.
9. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an elderly client with functional
incontinence who lives in an assisted living community. The client is alert, mildly
, confused, and can self ambulate. Which nursing intervention should the PN
implement?
A) Apply an external condom catheter
B) Offer assistance with toileting q2 hours
C) Restrict fluids after 6 PM
D) Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
Answer: B
Rationale: Offering toileting assistance every 2 hours promotes continence and
independence in a client who is alert and ambulatory. This is the least restrictive,
most appropriate intervention.
10. The healthcare provider prescribes a new medication, atorvastatin (Lipitor), for
an older client who arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. What
common side effect should the practical nurse (PN) advise the client to observe for
with this medication?
A) Constipation
B) Headaches
C) Dizziness
D) Muscle pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Headaches are a common side effect of atorvastatin. Clients should be
advised to report persistent headaches, as well as muscle pain, which may indicate
a more serious reaction.
11. The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing discharge instructions with the family of
an older client who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which
statement indicates that the family understands the instructions?
A) Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the
health care provider
B) Encourage the client to take laxatives daily
C) Limit fluid intake to prevent further obstruction
D) Resume a high-fiber diet immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Reporting signs of obstruction recurrence such as abdominal distention,
constipation, or nausea and vomiting is crucial for early intervention.
12. An older client asks the practical nurse (PN) how he can reduce his incidents of
hemorrhoidal flare ups. What information should the PN offer the client to prevent
rectal discomfort? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increase fiber and liquids in the diet to help prevent constipation and straining
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026 ALREADY GRADED
A+
This comprehensive 200-question practice set is designed for the HESI PN
Gerontology Exam, covering age-related physiological changes, medication
safety, cognitive disorders, chronic disease management, and end-of-life care
in older adults. Every question is completely unique, with no repetition of
clinical scenarios, medications, lab values, or nursing interventions. Topics
include cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal,
renal, and integumentary conditions common in geriatric clients. Each
question includes four multiple-choice options, a correct answer, and a
detailed rationale explaining the underlying pathophysiology or nursing
priority. This resource is intended for supplemental exam preparation only
and is not affiliated with or endorsed by HESI or Elsevier. Use it to reinforce
critical thinking and identify knowledge gaps for exam success.
1. A male client is seen in the clinic for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Which intervention is essential for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the client's
visit?
A) Reeducate the client about limiting fluid intake
B) Reassure the client that his BPH is a non-life-threatening condition
C) Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream
D) Inform the client that there may be a genetic predisposition for male family
members
Answer: C
Rationale: These symptoms may indicate progression of BPH to partial obstruction
of the urethra, a medical emergency, and need to be reported to the health care
provider. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited; hydration needs to be
maintained.
2. The oral temperature of a client with a urinary tract infection is 103° F. Which
intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement first?
A) Instruct the client on proper hygienic practices
B) Observe the color or odor of urine
C) Recheck the temperature rectally
D) Encourage fluid intake
,Answer: D
Rationale: Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower the
temperature as soon as possible.
3. An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to medication use.
When reviewing the client's medical records, the nurse is most likely to find which
factor is correlated with this problem?
A) The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication
B) The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased
C) The client's liver function has decreased since last year
D) The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years
Answer: C
Rationale: With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not cause drug
toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity.
4. The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for signs of
breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What interventions by the PN will
help maintain healthy skin integrity?
A) Keep the client well hydrated
B) Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin
C) Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry
D) Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement
Answer: A
Rationale: Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and
infection.
5. The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for antihypertensive
medication with an older adult. Which statement by the client best indicates
learning has been effective?
A) "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication"
B) "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children"
C) "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some food"
D) "I should get up slowly from a lying or sitting position when I take this
medication"
Answer: D
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications can cause orthostatic hypotension, so the
client should change positions slowly to prevent falls.
,6. The practical nurse (PN) is implementing a self-medication program for an older
resident who is newly admitted to an assisted living community. Which actions
should the PN implement to provide the resident ways to maintain safe medication
administration? (Select all that apply.)
A) Locked medication storage in the client's room
B) Medication Administration Record (MAR)
C) Delivery of adequate supply of medication
D) List of findings indicating medication effectiveness
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: All options are correct. A locked medication storage area promotes
safety. An MAR ensures accurate documentation. An adequate medication supply
prevents missed doses, and a list of findings indicating effectiveness helps monitor
treatment response.
7. Which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should the practical
nurse (PN) document when evaluating an older client? (Select all that apply.)
A) Dyspnea
B) Chest pain
C) Cardiac murmurs
D) Widening pulse pressure
E) Irregular heart rate
Answer: C, D
Rationale: Cardiac murmurs and widening pulse pressure are normal age-related
changes due to stiffening arteries and valve calcification. Dyspnea, chest pain, and
irregular heart rate may indicate pathology and should be investigated.
8. An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community refuses to
eat or join any activities. When evaluating the client further, what should the
practical nurse (PN) focus on during the next examination?
A) Anxiety
B) Depression
C) Anger
D) Physical illness
Answer: B
Rationale: Refusal to eat or engage in activities may indicate depression, a
common issue in older adults transitioning to assisted living.
9. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an elderly client with functional
incontinence who lives in an assisted living community. The client is alert, mildly
, confused, and can self ambulate. Which nursing intervention should the PN
implement?
A) Apply an external condom catheter
B) Offer assistance with toileting q2 hours
C) Restrict fluids after 6 PM
D) Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
Answer: B
Rationale: Offering toileting assistance every 2 hours promotes continence and
independence in a client who is alert and ambulatory. This is the least restrictive,
most appropriate intervention.
10. The healthcare provider prescribes a new medication, atorvastatin (Lipitor), for
an older client who arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. What
common side effect should the practical nurse (PN) advise the client to observe for
with this medication?
A) Constipation
B) Headaches
C) Dizziness
D) Muscle pain
Answer: B
Rationale: Headaches are a common side effect of atorvastatin. Clients should be
advised to report persistent headaches, as well as muscle pain, which may indicate
a more serious reaction.
11. The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing discharge instructions with the family of
an older client who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which
statement indicates that the family understands the instructions?
A) Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the
health care provider
B) Encourage the client to take laxatives daily
C) Limit fluid intake to prevent further obstruction
D) Resume a high-fiber diet immediately
Answer: A
Rationale: Reporting signs of obstruction recurrence such as abdominal distention,
constipation, or nausea and vomiting is crucial for early intervention.
12. An older client asks the practical nurse (PN) how he can reduce his incidents of
hemorrhoidal flare ups. What information should the PN offer the client to prevent
rectal discomfort? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increase fiber and liquids in the diet to help prevent constipation and straining
