HESI RN GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING ACCURATE
PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL POSSIBLE APPROVED
WELL ELABORATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER
KEY (100% CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-
2027 CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION Q&A
GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 78-year-old patient with osteoarthritis reports
stiffness that worsens in the morning. Which
intervention is most effective for reducing morning
stiffness?
A. Apply a heating pad for 20 minutes before rising.
B. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises in bed.
C. Take a warm shower or bath upon awakening.
D. Rest the affected joints until stiffness subsides.
Correct Answer: C. Take a warm shower or bath
upon awakening.
,Rationale: Warm moist heat is most effective for
reducing morning stiffness in osteoarthritis by
relaxing muscles and increasing joint mobility.
Heating pads may cause burns in older adults.
Passive exercises are less effective without heat,
and rest worsens stiffness.
2. An 85-year-old patient is prescribed digoxin for
heart failure. Which assessment finding indicates
early digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea.
B. Hypertension and tinnitus.
C. Diarrhea and blurred vision.
D. Hyperkalemia and muscle cramps.
Correct Answer: A. Bradycardia and nausea.
Rationale: Early digoxin toxicity often presents
with gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting)
and bradycardia due to increased vagal tone.
Visual changes (yellow-green halos) occur later.
Hyperkalemia is a severe later sign.
3. A 72-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes has a
fasting blood glucose of 145 mg/dL. What is the
,priority nursing action?
A. Administer rapid-acting insulin.
B. Review the patient's dietary intake over the past
24 hours.
C. Check for ketones in the urine.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B. Review the patient's dietary
intake over the past 24 hours.
Rationale: A fasting glucose of 145 mg/dL is
elevated but not emergent. The priority is to
identify the cause, such as dietary noncompliance.
Insulin is not indicated for this level. Ketones are
unlikely with mild hyperglycemia.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic
of delirium in an older adult?
A. Gradual onset of memory loss over months.
B. Fluctuating level of consciousness with
disorientation.
C. Fixed, flat affect with apathy.
D. Consistent ability to perform activities of daily
living.
Correct Answer: B. Fluctuating level of
, consciousness with disorientation.
Rationale: Delirium has an acute onset and
fluctuates, with changes in consciousness and
attention. Option A describes dementia. Option C
describes depression. Option D is not typical of
delirium.
5. A frail 80-year-old patient is at risk for pressure
injuries. Which intervention is most effective for
prevention?
A. Reposition the patient every 4 hours.
B. Use a foam mattress overlay.
C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
D. Apply barrier cream to bony prominences.
Correct Answer: C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
Rationale: The most effective pressure injury
prevention is turning and repositioning every 2
hours. Foam overlays help but do not replace
repositioning. Barrier creams protect skin but do
not relieve pressure.
6. An 82-year-old patient reports dizziness when
standing up from a chair. Blood pressure is 130/70
PRACTICE EXAM WITH ALL POSSIBLE APPROVED
WELL ELABORATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
100% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES PLUS EXPERT ANSWER
KEY (100% CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) 2026-
2027 CURRENTLY UPDATED VERSION Q&A
GUARANTEED PASS A+ INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 78-year-old patient with osteoarthritis reports
stiffness that worsens in the morning. Which
intervention is most effective for reducing morning
stiffness?
A. Apply a heating pad for 20 minutes before rising.
B. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises in bed.
C. Take a warm shower or bath upon awakening.
D. Rest the affected joints until stiffness subsides.
Correct Answer: C. Take a warm shower or bath
upon awakening.
,Rationale: Warm moist heat is most effective for
reducing morning stiffness in osteoarthritis by
relaxing muscles and increasing joint mobility.
Heating pads may cause burns in older adults.
Passive exercises are less effective without heat,
and rest worsens stiffness.
2. An 85-year-old patient is prescribed digoxin for
heart failure. Which assessment finding indicates
early digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea.
B. Hypertension and tinnitus.
C. Diarrhea and blurred vision.
D. Hyperkalemia and muscle cramps.
Correct Answer: A. Bradycardia and nausea.
Rationale: Early digoxin toxicity often presents
with gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting)
and bradycardia due to increased vagal tone.
Visual changes (yellow-green halos) occur later.
Hyperkalemia is a severe later sign.
3. A 72-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes has a
fasting blood glucose of 145 mg/dL. What is the
,priority nursing action?
A. Administer rapid-acting insulin.
B. Review the patient's dietary intake over the past
24 hours.
C. Check for ketones in the urine.
D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B. Review the patient's dietary
intake over the past 24 hours.
Rationale: A fasting glucose of 145 mg/dL is
elevated but not emergent. The priority is to
identify the cause, such as dietary noncompliance.
Insulin is not indicated for this level. Ketones are
unlikely with mild hyperglycemia.
4. Which assessment finding is most characteristic
of delirium in an older adult?
A. Gradual onset of memory loss over months.
B. Fluctuating level of consciousness with
disorientation.
C. Fixed, flat affect with apathy.
D. Consistent ability to perform activities of daily
living.
Correct Answer: B. Fluctuating level of
, consciousness with disorientation.
Rationale: Delirium has an acute onset and
fluctuates, with changes in consciousness and
attention. Option A describes dementia. Option C
describes depression. Option D is not typical of
delirium.
5. A frail 80-year-old patient is at risk for pressure
injuries. Which intervention is most effective for
prevention?
A. Reposition the patient every 4 hours.
B. Use a foam mattress overlay.
C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
D. Apply barrier cream to bony prominences.
Correct Answer: C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
Rationale: The most effective pressure injury
prevention is turning and repositioning every 2
hours. Foam overlays help but do not replace
repositioning. Barrier creams protect skin but do
not relieve pressure.
6. An 82-year-old patient reports dizziness when
standing up from a chair. Blood pressure is 130/70
