GERONTOLOGY HESI EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | LATEST … EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Gerontology HESI Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Latest
Verified Questions
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 verified Gerontology HESI exam questions, each with its correct answer
and a detailed rationale. It provides a comprehensive study resource for gerontological nursing,
offering students a direct pathway to understanding key concepts and their application. This
resource is ideal for thorough review and preparation for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Health Q1–Q18
Health Promotion & Assessment Q19–Q46
Integumentary & Musculoskeletal Health Q47–Q59
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Systems Q60–Q73
Neurological & Sensory Systems Q74–Q85
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Q86–Q89
Page 1
,Pharmacology & Therapeutics Q90–Q100
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric tube is known as what?
Gavage
Emesis
Lavage
Stomach pumping
CORRECT ANSWER
Lavage
Gastric lavage is used to cleanse the stomach of a poison, overdose of medication, or other toxic
substance. It is delivered through a nasogastric tube
RATIONALE
Lavage refers to the therapeutic washing or cleansing of a body cavity, specifically the stomach in this
context, via irrigation through a nasogastric tube. This procedure is distinct from gavage (tube feeding) or
emesis (vomiting).
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Your 89-year-old patient presents with dyspepsia and nausea. After testing, you determine she is
positive for Peptic Ulcer Disease. Of the following, which would LEAST likely be a differential
diagnosis for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
Cholecystitis.
Migraines.
Gastric carcinoma.
Cardiovascular disease.
CORRECT ANSWER
Migraines
Peptic Ulcer Disease is a gastrointestinal disorder. Other differential diagnoses of the condition are
pancreatitis and biliary tract disease.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Migraines are a neurological disorder, unlike dyspepsia, nausea, cholecystitis, gastric carcinoma, and
cardiovascular disease, which all have gastrointestinal or related systemic origins that can mimic peptic
ulcer disease symptoms. The core concept tested is distinguishing between gastrointestinal pathologies
and unrelated neurological conditions presenting with potentially overlapping symptoms.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST likely prescribe what medication?
Metronidazole.
Erythromycin.
Ampicillin.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
CORRECT ANSWER
Metronidazole.
The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the following: - Campylobacter jejuni: Erythromycin -
Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole
RATIONALE
Metronidazole is the drug of choice for giardiasis because it effectively targets anaerobic protozoa like
*Giardia lamblia*. The other options are indicated for specific bacterial infections, not protozoal ones.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
When treating a patient with oral Vitamin B12, which drug interaction will result in decreased
absorption of vitamin B12?
aminoglycosides
colchicine
potassium supplements
all of the above
CORRECT ANSWER
all of the above
In addition to the drugs listed in the first three choices, ascorbic acid may destroy the vitamin B12
supplement within one hour of ingestion. These drugs should not be taken concomitantly with oral
vitamin B12.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Aminoglycosides, colchicine, and potassium supplements can all impair vitamin B12 absorption by altering
gastrointestinal motility or damaging the intestinal mucosa. Ascorbic acid also inactivates oral vitamin B12
shortly after ingestion, necessitating separation of administration times.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
You are counseling a 72-year-old woman about nutrition. In the course of counseling you tell her that
older adults are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Which of the following is NOT a factor that
contributes to a Vitamin D deficiency?
too much exposure to sunlight
decreased exercise
diminished renal function
decreased body mass
CORRECT ANSWER
too much exposure to sunlight
In actuality lack of sun exposure decreases synthesis of Vitamin D.
RATIONALE
Excessive sunlight exposure promotes Vitamin D synthesis, whereas insufficient exposure, diminished renal
function (for activation), and decreased body mass (less storage) contribute to deficiency. The key concept
tested is the multifactorial etiology of Vitamin D deficiency in older adults.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A 67-year-old diabetic has been taking oral anti-hypoglycemics and is still having poor glycemic
control. You make the decision to start insulin therapy. He weighs 60 kg. What should you order as an
initial starting dose?
6 units short-acting insulin at breakfast, continue oral medication
6 units intermediate insulin at bedtime, stop oral medication
6 units long-acting before breakfast, stop oral medication
6 units long-acting insulin at bedtime, continue oral medication
CORRECT ANSWER
6 units long-acting insulin at bedtime, continue oral medication
The American Diabetic Association algorithm for initiation and adjustment of therapy (2006) suggests
an intermediate or long-acting insulin to be started at bedtime or morning as a once daily dose. The
starting dose is either 10 units or 0.2 units per kilogram. Oral medication should be continued except for
discontinuing sulfonylureas or meglitinides.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Gerontology HESI Exam
Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Latest
Verified Questions
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 100 verified Gerontology HESI exam questions, each with its correct answer
and a detailed rationale. It provides a comprehensive study resource for gerontological nursing,
offering students a direct pathway to understanding key concepts and their application. This
resource is ideal for thorough review and preparation for certification exams.
CONTENTS
Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Health Q1–Q18
Health Promotion & Assessment Q19–Q46
Integumentary & Musculoskeletal Health Q47–Q59
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Systems Q60–Q73
Neurological & Sensory Systems Q74–Q85
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Q86–Q89
Page 1
,Pharmacology & Therapeutics Q90–Q100
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric tube is known as what?
Gavage
Emesis
Lavage
Stomach pumping
CORRECT ANSWER
Lavage
Gastric lavage is used to cleanse the stomach of a poison, overdose of medication, or other toxic
substance. It is delivered through a nasogastric tube
RATIONALE
Lavage refers to the therapeutic washing or cleansing of a body cavity, specifically the stomach in this
context, via irrigation through a nasogastric tube. This procedure is distinct from gavage (tube feeding) or
emesis (vomiting).
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Your 89-year-old patient presents with dyspepsia and nausea. After testing, you determine she is
positive for Peptic Ulcer Disease. Of the following, which would LEAST likely be a differential
diagnosis for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
Cholecystitis.
Migraines.
Gastric carcinoma.
Cardiovascular disease.
CORRECT ANSWER
Migraines
Peptic Ulcer Disease is a gastrointestinal disorder. Other differential diagnoses of the condition are
pancreatitis and biliary tract disease.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Migraines are a neurological disorder, unlike dyspepsia, nausea, cholecystitis, gastric carcinoma, and
cardiovascular disease, which all have gastrointestinal or related systemic origins that can mimic peptic
ulcer disease symptoms. The core concept tested is distinguishing between gastrointestinal pathologies
and unrelated neurological conditions presenting with potentially overlapping symptoms.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST likely prescribe what medication?
Metronidazole.
Erythromycin.
Ampicillin.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
CORRECT ANSWER
Metronidazole.
The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the following: - Campylobacter jejuni: Erythromycin -
Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole
RATIONALE
Metronidazole is the drug of choice for giardiasis because it effectively targets anaerobic protozoa like
*Giardia lamblia*. The other options are indicated for specific bacterial infections, not protozoal ones.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
When treating a patient with oral Vitamin B12, which drug interaction will result in decreased
absorption of vitamin B12?
aminoglycosides
colchicine
potassium supplements
all of the above
CORRECT ANSWER
all of the above
In addition to the drugs listed in the first three choices, ascorbic acid may destroy the vitamin B12
supplement within one hour of ingestion. These drugs should not be taken concomitantly with oral
vitamin B12.
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Aminoglycosides, colchicine, and potassium supplements can all impair vitamin B12 absorption by altering
gastrointestinal motility or damaging the intestinal mucosa. Ascorbic acid also inactivates oral vitamin B12
shortly after ingestion, necessitating separation of administration times.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
You are counseling a 72-year-old woman about nutrition. In the course of counseling you tell her that
older adults are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Which of the following is NOT a factor that
contributes to a Vitamin D deficiency?
too much exposure to sunlight
decreased exercise
diminished renal function
decreased body mass
CORRECT ANSWER
too much exposure to sunlight
In actuality lack of sun exposure decreases synthesis of Vitamin D.
RATIONALE
Excessive sunlight exposure promotes Vitamin D synthesis, whereas insufficient exposure, diminished renal
function (for activation), and decreased body mass (less storage) contribute to deficiency. The key concept
tested is the multifactorial etiology of Vitamin D deficiency in older adults.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A 67-year-old diabetic has been taking oral anti-hypoglycemics and is still having poor glycemic
control. You make the decision to start insulin therapy. He weighs 60 kg. What should you order as an
initial starting dose?
6 units short-acting insulin at breakfast, continue oral medication
6 units intermediate insulin at bedtime, stop oral medication
6 units long-acting before breakfast, stop oral medication
6 units long-acting insulin at bedtime, continue oral medication
CORRECT ANSWER
6 units long-acting insulin at bedtime, continue oral medication
The American Diabetic Association algorithm for initiation and adjustment of therapy (2006) suggests
an intermediate or long-acting insulin to be started at bedtime or morning as a once daily dose. The
starting dose is either 10 units or 0.2 units per kilogram. Oral medication should be continued except for
discontinuing sulfonylureas or meglitinides.
Page 4
