Hesi Gerontology Comprehensive Exam Prep
Test Bank with 340 Latest Exam Questions
and Correct Answers with Rationales/
Gerontology Hesi Exam Prep Test Bank
A frail elderly woman visits the healthcare provider because she has been getting
out of breath easily when walking long distances. Which pulmonary function
change should the registered nurse (RN) expect to commonly occur with aging?
a) Decreased residual volume
b) Mild respiratory acidosis
c) Reduced vital capacity
d) Increased alveoli function
C) Reduced vital capacity
Rationale: With aging, a frail elder is likely to have reduced vital capacity due to
the loss of elasticity of the lung tissue. With reduced elasticity, residual volume
increases. Arterial pH should not change with normal aging. A decrease, rather
than an increase, in alveoli function can occur due to a thinning of the alveolar
walls with age.
The registered nurse (RN) is assigned to the care of an older client with venous
stasis ulcers. A primary goal in the client's plan of care is to decrease swelling in
the extremities. What action should the RN take to meet this goal?
a) Elevate the legs on pillows
b) Decrease fluid intake
c) Decrease salt intake in diet
d) Increase protein intake in diet
A) Elevate the legs on pillows
Rationale: Venous insufficiency is causing intravenous fluid to move into the
1
,interstitial spaces causing edema. To promote gravity drainage, the extremities
should be elevated.
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
registered nurse (RN) focus on during the next examination?
a) Anxiety
b) Depression
c) Exhaustion
d) Confusion
B) Depression
Rationale: A symptom that an older adult is likely to experience with a sudden
change in living accommodations when a loss of personal identity can crease low
self-esteem.
An older female client arrives for an annual visit by the urologist due to a history
of changes in serum values related to renal function. What changes should the
registered nurse (RN) expect for an older client due to normal aging?
a) Decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
b) Hematuria during urinalysis
c) Chronic bladder infections
d) Urinary incontinence
A) Decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Rationale: GFR often decreases with normal aging due to a decrease in blood flow
through the kidneys causing renal function test results to vary the clearance of
metabolic waste.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client
with end stage Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique
should the registered nurse (RN) use to determine the client's pain?
a) Use the FACES pain scale
b) Ask client to rate pain on a scale of 1 to 10
2
,c) Observe for facial grimacing
d) Review documentation of recent eating habits
C) Observe for facial grimacing
Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing is the best method for evaluating pain
for a client who cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease
An older client is receiving hospice care and the spouse and family have expressed
several concerns. Which concern expressed by the family should the practical
nurses (PN) address first?
a. The spouse asks about the side effects of the client's pain medication.
b. The client's family requests referrals for support groups to help with the grieving
process.
c. The spouse reports that the client finally slept for more than 2 hours last night.
d. The client's spouse wants to know when it is time to call 9-1-1.
d. The client's spouse wants to know when it is time to call 9-1-1.
This statement by the client's spouse about calling 9-1-1 shows that further
education is needed about hospice and the end-of-life process.
The practical nurse (PN) reinforces nutritional counseling to a group of clients with
diabetes. What is the most important purpose of a diabetic diet?
a. To manage adults with type 1 diabetes
b. To be used during periods of high stress
c. To stabilize the blood glucose level through a balanced diet
d. To normalize the blood glucose level by eliminating sugar
c. To stabilize the blood glucose level through a balanced diet
The purpose of the diabetic diet is to stabilize the blood glucose level by providing
balanced nutrition.
The nurse at a long-term care facility is working with a group of unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAPs) and is asking the UAPs to provide oral care to the
residents. The nurse should explain this is important to provide for which vital
reasons? (Select all that apply.)
3
, a. Inspecting agencies review medical records for compliance
b. Frequent oral care reduces halitosis, or bad breath, in older adults
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh
vegetables
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh
vegetables
It is important to ensure that older adults receive adequate oral care, because
cavities, dry mouth, and missing teeth can lead to teeth loss. This can cause severe
nutritional problems due to the inability to chew meats, fresh fruits and vegetables,
and other essential food items. While it is true that inspecting agencies often
review medical records, this is not the most crucial reason to provide this care.
Halitosis can be caused by poor oral hygiene, but this is also not the most crucial
reason to provide care.
An 83-year-old client diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been admitted to
home health care for an ulcer on the heel of the left foot. Which changes in the foot
should the practical nurse (PN) expect to find? (Select all that apply.)
a. Pedal pulses will be weak or absent in the left foot.
b. The client states that the left foot is usually warm.
c. Flexion and extension of the left foot will be limited.
d. Capillary refill of the client's left toes is longer than 2 seconds.
e. The client denies any pain in the left foot.
a. Pedal pulses will be weak or absent in the left foot.
e. The client denies any pain in the left foot.
Symptoms associated with decreased blood supply are weak or absent pedal and
4
Test Bank with 340 Latest Exam Questions
and Correct Answers with Rationales/
Gerontology Hesi Exam Prep Test Bank
A frail elderly woman visits the healthcare provider because she has been getting
out of breath easily when walking long distances. Which pulmonary function
change should the registered nurse (RN) expect to commonly occur with aging?
a) Decreased residual volume
b) Mild respiratory acidosis
c) Reduced vital capacity
d) Increased alveoli function
C) Reduced vital capacity
Rationale: With aging, a frail elder is likely to have reduced vital capacity due to
the loss of elasticity of the lung tissue. With reduced elasticity, residual volume
increases. Arterial pH should not change with normal aging. A decrease, rather
than an increase, in alveoli function can occur due to a thinning of the alveolar
walls with age.
The registered nurse (RN) is assigned to the care of an older client with venous
stasis ulcers. A primary goal in the client's plan of care is to decrease swelling in
the extremities. What action should the RN take to meet this goal?
a) Elevate the legs on pillows
b) Decrease fluid intake
c) Decrease salt intake in diet
d) Increase protein intake in diet
A) Elevate the legs on pillows
Rationale: Venous insufficiency is causing intravenous fluid to move into the
1
,interstitial spaces causing edema. To promote gravity drainage, the extremities
should be elevated.
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
registered nurse (RN) focus on during the next examination?
a) Anxiety
b) Depression
c) Exhaustion
d) Confusion
B) Depression
Rationale: A symptom that an older adult is likely to experience with a sudden
change in living accommodations when a loss of personal identity can crease low
self-esteem.
An older female client arrives for an annual visit by the urologist due to a history
of changes in serum values related to renal function. What changes should the
registered nurse (RN) expect for an older client due to normal aging?
a) Decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
b) Hematuria during urinalysis
c) Chronic bladder infections
d) Urinary incontinence
A) Decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Rationale: GFR often decreases with normal aging due to a decrease in blood flow
through the kidneys causing renal function test results to vary the clearance of
metabolic waste.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client
with end stage Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique
should the registered nurse (RN) use to determine the client's pain?
a) Use the FACES pain scale
b) Ask client to rate pain on a scale of 1 to 10
2
,c) Observe for facial grimacing
d) Review documentation of recent eating habits
C) Observe for facial grimacing
Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing is the best method for evaluating pain
for a client who cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease
An older client is receiving hospice care and the spouse and family have expressed
several concerns. Which concern expressed by the family should the practical
nurses (PN) address first?
a. The spouse asks about the side effects of the client's pain medication.
b. The client's family requests referrals for support groups to help with the grieving
process.
c. The spouse reports that the client finally slept for more than 2 hours last night.
d. The client's spouse wants to know when it is time to call 9-1-1.
d. The client's spouse wants to know when it is time to call 9-1-1.
This statement by the client's spouse about calling 9-1-1 shows that further
education is needed about hospice and the end-of-life process.
The practical nurse (PN) reinforces nutritional counseling to a group of clients with
diabetes. What is the most important purpose of a diabetic diet?
a. To manage adults with type 1 diabetes
b. To be used during periods of high stress
c. To stabilize the blood glucose level through a balanced diet
d. To normalize the blood glucose level by eliminating sugar
c. To stabilize the blood glucose level through a balanced diet
The purpose of the diabetic diet is to stabilize the blood glucose level by providing
balanced nutrition.
The nurse at a long-term care facility is working with a group of unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAPs) and is asking the UAPs to provide oral care to the
residents. The nurse should explain this is important to provide for which vital
reasons? (Select all that apply.)
3
, a. Inspecting agencies review medical records for compliance
b. Frequent oral care reduces halitosis, or bad breath, in older adults
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh
vegetables
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh
vegetables
It is important to ensure that older adults receive adequate oral care, because
cavities, dry mouth, and missing teeth can lead to teeth loss. This can cause severe
nutritional problems due to the inability to chew meats, fresh fruits and vegetables,
and other essential food items. While it is true that inspecting agencies often
review medical records, this is not the most crucial reason to provide this care.
Halitosis can be caused by poor oral hygiene, but this is also not the most crucial
reason to provide care.
An 83-year-old client diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been admitted to
home health care for an ulcer on the heel of the left foot. Which changes in the foot
should the practical nurse (PN) expect to find? (Select all that apply.)
a. Pedal pulses will be weak or absent in the left foot.
b. The client states that the left foot is usually warm.
c. Flexion and extension of the left foot will be limited.
d. Capillary refill of the client's left toes is longer than 2 seconds.
e. The client denies any pain in the left foot.
a. Pedal pulses will be weak or absent in the left foot.
e. The client denies any pain in the left foot.
Symptoms associated with decreased blood supply are weak or absent pedal and
4
