Gerontology HESI RN 2026|Geriatric Nursing Practice Exam
, Gerontology HESI RN| Geriatric Nursing
Assessment Questions and Answers
1. An 82-year-old client with pneumonia is confused and restless. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Notify the provider
C. Check blood glucose
D. Reorient the client
Answer: A. Administer oxygen
Rationale: Confusion in pneumonia often signals hypoxia; oxygen is priority.
2. An older adult reports food tasting bland. Which intervention is best?
A. Add salt to meals
B. Encourage non-salt seasonings
C. Offer sweet desserts
D. Provide appetite stimulants
Answer: B. Encourage non-salt seasonings
Rationale: Taste bud atrophy reduces flavor perception; avoid salt due to hypertension
risk.
3. A client with dementia becomes agitated at night. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer sedatives
B. Maintain consistent routine
C. Increase daytime naps
D. Limit evening fluids
Answer: B. Maintain consistent routine
Rationale: Sundowning is managed by structure and routine.
4. An older adult reports difficulty sleeping. What should the nurse ask first?
A. “Do you drink alcohol?”
B. “What has helped you sleep before?”
C. “Do you want a sleep aid?”
D. “Do you nap during the day?”
Answer: B. “What has helped you sleep before?”
Rationale: Individualized assessment guides interventions.
5. Which finding indicates frailty syndrome?
A. Hypertension and diabetes
B. Weight gain and insomnia
C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion
D. Increased appetite and confusion
, Answer: C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion
Rationale: Classic frailty triad.
6. An older adult with COPD is short of breath. Which teaching is most appropriate?
A. Encourage rapid breathing
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
D. Limit fluid intake
Answer: B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Helps maintain airway pressure and improve oxygenation.
7. An elderly client reports constipation. Which intervention should the nurse
recommend first?
A. Prescribe laxatives
B. Increase fiber and fluids
C. Encourage bed rest
D. Limit dairy products
Answer: B. Increase fiber and fluids
Rationale: Non-pharmacological measures are first-line.
8. Which environmental change best reduces fall risk in nursing homes?
A. Install dim lighting
B. Remove loose rugs and clutter
C. Place furniture close together
D. Encourage slippers indoors
Answer: B. Remove loose rugs and clutter
Rationale: Environmental safety is key to fall prevention.
9. To reduce polypharmacy risks, what should the nurse advise?
A. Use one pharmacy for all prescriptions
B. Take medications at random times
C. Stop all over-the-counter drugs
D. Avoid discussing supplements with provider
Answer: A. Use one pharmacy for all prescriptions
Rationale: Prevents duplication and drug interactions.
10.An older adult with insomnia should avoid which behavior?
A. Drinking caffeine after noon
B. Reading before bed
C. Maintaining a bedtime routine
D. Using relaxation techniques
Answer: A. Drinking caffeine after noon
Rationale: Caffeine interferes with sleep.
11.A nurse suspects frailty in an older adult. Which finding supports this?
A. Increased appetite
, Gerontology HESI RN| Geriatric Nursing
Assessment Questions and Answers
1. An 82-year-old client with pneumonia is confused and restless. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Notify the provider
C. Check blood glucose
D. Reorient the client
Answer: A. Administer oxygen
Rationale: Confusion in pneumonia often signals hypoxia; oxygen is priority.
2. An older adult reports food tasting bland. Which intervention is best?
A. Add salt to meals
B. Encourage non-salt seasonings
C. Offer sweet desserts
D. Provide appetite stimulants
Answer: B. Encourage non-salt seasonings
Rationale: Taste bud atrophy reduces flavor perception; avoid salt due to hypertension
risk.
3. A client with dementia becomes agitated at night. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Administer sedatives
B. Maintain consistent routine
C. Increase daytime naps
D. Limit evening fluids
Answer: B. Maintain consistent routine
Rationale: Sundowning is managed by structure and routine.
4. An older adult reports difficulty sleeping. What should the nurse ask first?
A. “Do you drink alcohol?”
B. “What has helped you sleep before?”
C. “Do you want a sleep aid?”
D. “Do you nap during the day?”
Answer: B. “What has helped you sleep before?”
Rationale: Individualized assessment guides interventions.
5. Which finding indicates frailty syndrome?
A. Hypertension and diabetes
B. Weight gain and insomnia
C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion
D. Increased appetite and confusion
, Answer: C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion
Rationale: Classic frailty triad.
6. An older adult with COPD is short of breath. Which teaching is most appropriate?
A. Encourage rapid breathing
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
D. Limit fluid intake
Answer: B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Helps maintain airway pressure and improve oxygenation.
7. An elderly client reports constipation. Which intervention should the nurse
recommend first?
A. Prescribe laxatives
B. Increase fiber and fluids
C. Encourage bed rest
D. Limit dairy products
Answer: B. Increase fiber and fluids
Rationale: Non-pharmacological measures are first-line.
8. Which environmental change best reduces fall risk in nursing homes?
A. Install dim lighting
B. Remove loose rugs and clutter
C. Place furniture close together
D. Encourage slippers indoors
Answer: B. Remove loose rugs and clutter
Rationale: Environmental safety is key to fall prevention.
9. To reduce polypharmacy risks, what should the nurse advise?
A. Use one pharmacy for all prescriptions
B. Take medications at random times
C. Stop all over-the-counter drugs
D. Avoid discussing supplements with provider
Answer: A. Use one pharmacy for all prescriptions
Rationale: Prevents duplication and drug interactions.
10.An older adult with insomnia should avoid which behavior?
A. Drinking caffeine after noon
B. Reading before bed
C. Maintaining a bedtime routine
D. Using relaxation techniques
Answer: A. Drinking caffeine after noon
Rationale: Caffeine interferes with sleep.
11.A nurse suspects frailty in an older adult. Which finding supports this?
A. Increased appetite
