HESI Gerontology Exam RN– Complete Question and Answer Study Guide with
Rationales
1. Which statementis trueaboutrehaband restorativecarefor olderadults?A PERSON CAN
LEARN SKILLS
AND GAIN ABILITIES THAT ENABLE FUNCTIONING
2. An older adult is in the hospital because of HF and has become incontinent of urine.EB
Which
resourceshouldthenurseuseto guidecontinencecarefor this pt? NURSING STANDARD
PRACTICE PROTOCOL
3. The nurseunderstandsthatstressincontinenceoccurs?AS A RESULT OF INCEASED
INTRAABDOMINAL PRESSURE
4. A largeresidualurine volumecharacterizeswhattypeof incontinence?OVERLFOW
Which actionshouldbeincludedin all bladder-retrainingprograms?TOILETING AT BEDTIME
5. The nurseassessa maleresidentin a NH for urinary incontinenceand determinesthat he is
unaware of the problem. Which recommendation should the nurse implement? PROVIDE
REGULAR TOILETING
6. The nurse wants to begin helping a resident who is overweight and has urinary incontinence
withhealthybladderbehaviorskills. Which interventionshouldthenurse implement?
SCHEDULE VOIDING AT 2-4 HR INTERVALS
7. Whatis themostimportantaspectof carefor thenurseto maintainwhenassistingan olderpt
with urinary incontinence?
MAINTAINING AN ATTITUDE THAT IS RESPECTFULABOUT
RESLOVING THE PROBLEM
8. An olderwomantellstheNP thatshefearsher family will placeher in a NH becauseshe developed
stress incontinence. Which recommendation should the nurse implement? RECOMMEND
EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN THE PELVIC FLOOR
9. The nurseis caring for a pt whohasrecentlyhad an indwellingcatheterplaced.The nurse
should assess the pt for?A CHANGE IN MENTAL STATUS
10. An olderadultwhois on bedrestaftersurgeryis prescribedmorphinefor pain.Which of the
following is the nurse’s priority for preventive care?
CONSTIPATION
11. Which of thefollowingstatementsis a trueabouteliminationin olderadults?
DEFACATION < 1 DAY IS NOT NECESSARILY CONSTIPATION
12. Which optionis partof theprogramthataddressesbowelincontinencein an olderadult pt?
ENSURING THAT A TOILET OR COMMODE IS READILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PT
13. Which is an importantconsiderationabouttheskin of an olderadultperson?THE SKIN
BECOMES MORE VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE
,HESI Gerontology Exam RN– Complete Question and Answer Study Guide with
Rationales
14. Which topicalagentis safeto apply?LIGHT MINERAL OIL TO MOISTEN SKIN AFTER
BATHING
15. A 70 yr old womancomplainsof dry skin and asksfor advice.Which adviceshouldthe nurse offer
to this woman for improving dry skin?
KEEP BATH WATER BETWEEN 90* AND 105*F
16. The nursemonitorsfor whichclinical indicatorwhentheolderadultcomplainsof pruritus?
COARSE SKIN
17. Which infectioncontrolpracticeshouldthenurseimplementwhencaring for an older adult who
has active herpes zoster?
COVER RUPTURED SKIN LESIONS WITH A NONABSORBENT
DRESSING
17. The nurse is conductingan admissionassessmenton an older adult and notesa small lesion
with a multicolor appearance. Which assessment approach should the nurse use?
ABCD RULE
(ASYMMETRY, BORDER, COLOR, DIAMETER)
18. The nursecares foran olderman who has a malignant melanoma. Which intervention should the
nurse implement for this man to prevent a recurrence or advancement of this condition
in thefuture?
INSTRUCT HIM TO WEAR SUN-PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND A HAT AT ALL TIMES
19. Which of thefollowingis a truestatementaboutimpairedskin integrity?MUSCLE AND
FAT CANNOT REGENERATE
20. An olderadultis vitamindeficient.Which of thefollowingdoesthenurseofferto the older
adult to provide the important missing vitamin for maintaining healthy skin and enhancing tissue
repair?ORANGE SLICES
21. An older adult woman complains of foot plain from a corn. After assessing her feet, which
interventionshouldthenurseimplementto alleviateherfrom discomfort?CUT OUT AN OVAL
CORN PAD TO MAKE A U SHAPE
22. Which of the following statementsis true about Medicare for older adults? 80% OF
MEDICARE’S ANNUAL EXPENDITURES ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
23. Acuteillnessis to chronic illnessas to whichof thefollowingcomparisons?AN ER IS TO A NH
24. An olderfemalept is dx witha chronic illness.Which principleshouldthenurseapply when
answering her questions? CHRONIC ILLNESS IS UNENDING AND COPING CAN BE
INFLUENCED BY THE PERCEPTION OF UNCERTAINTY
25. Over 50% of thepopulation,aged65 + yrs, suffersfrom whichoneof thefollowing chronic
health conditions?HTN AND ARTHRITIS
, HESI Gerontology Exam RN– Complete Question and Answer Study Guide with
Rationales
26. Which older adult has the most characteristics associated with becoming frail? MALE,
HISPANIC AMERICAN, WITH HYPOPROTEINEMIA
27. Which of thefollowingdescribesthenurse’srole for an olderpt witha chronic illness?PROVIDE
CARING TO HELP THE PT LIVE AT THE OPTIMAL LEVEL OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS
28. Which of the following statements is the most suitable for establishing goals when teaching an
older adult with a chronic illness about potential changes in the health maintenance
regimen?
MANAGEMENT OF THE PT’S CHRONIC DISEASE RESTS ON THE PT AND THE
CAREGIVER; THEREFORE, THE GOALS SHOULD BE COLLABORATIVELY SET
29. Comparedwithacutepain, thefollowingis trueof persistentpain? IT CAN BRING ABOUT
CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE
30. The nurseadmitsan oldermalept whohadABD surgery.On admission,VS signs are: P-73, R-20,
BP-136/84. He is receiving IV fluids but has not requested pain meds since surgery. 7 hrs later, his
VS are: P-98, R-26, BP-164/90, and he denies pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
ASK HIM ABOUT DISCOMFORT AT THE SURGICAL SITE. (USE OLD CART – onset, location,
duration, characteristics, aggravation, relieving factors, and treatments previously used)
31. An olderfemaleadulthad hip replacementsurgery1 dayago,and thenursethinks that the woman
also has dementia. Which pt assessment does the nurse use to determine that this woman is
experiencing pain?HOLDS ABD TIGHTLY
32. An older male adult who is Hispanic states he is not having pain, but he had knee replacement
surgery2 daysago.Which is thebestassessmenttoolas recommendedby the Hartford Institute for
Geriatric Nursing from “Try This” for the nurse to apply for this man?
FACES PAIN SCALE -
REVISED
The safestopioidanalgesicchoicefor an olderpt whohassevereacutepain is whichof the following?
MORPHINE SULFATE (MORPHINE)
33. An olderadultadmittedfor backsurgeryasksfor opioidpain meds.The nurseknows the pt
asked for meds 15 min before it is due. Which recommendation should the nurse implement?
ADMINISTER THE PAIN MEDS AS PRESCRIBED
34. The nurse administers an opioid analgesic to an older male postoperative pt on a surgical
unit.
Which is themostimportantinterventionfor thenurseto implementbefore leaving the pt?
INSTRUCT HIM TO ASK FOR HELP BEFORE GETTING UP
POSITION THE PT COMFORTABLY
35. The nurse plans the care of an older female resident of a NH who has experienced a sudden
deteriorationin visualacuity.The nurseadministersan opioidanalgesicto an older male
postoperative pt on a surgical unit. Which is the most important intervention for the nurse complete
first? EXAMINE HER MOOD AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS
Rationales
1. Which statementis trueaboutrehaband restorativecarefor olderadults?A PERSON CAN
LEARN SKILLS
AND GAIN ABILITIES THAT ENABLE FUNCTIONING
2. An older adult is in the hospital because of HF and has become incontinent of urine.EB
Which
resourceshouldthenurseuseto guidecontinencecarefor this pt? NURSING STANDARD
PRACTICE PROTOCOL
3. The nurseunderstandsthatstressincontinenceoccurs?AS A RESULT OF INCEASED
INTRAABDOMINAL PRESSURE
4. A largeresidualurine volumecharacterizeswhattypeof incontinence?OVERLFOW
Which actionshouldbeincludedin all bladder-retrainingprograms?TOILETING AT BEDTIME
5. The nurseassessa maleresidentin a NH for urinary incontinenceand determinesthat he is
unaware of the problem. Which recommendation should the nurse implement? PROVIDE
REGULAR TOILETING
6. The nurse wants to begin helping a resident who is overweight and has urinary incontinence
withhealthybladderbehaviorskills. Which interventionshouldthenurse implement?
SCHEDULE VOIDING AT 2-4 HR INTERVALS
7. Whatis themostimportantaspectof carefor thenurseto maintainwhenassistingan olderpt
with urinary incontinence?
MAINTAINING AN ATTITUDE THAT IS RESPECTFULABOUT
RESLOVING THE PROBLEM
8. An olderwomantellstheNP thatshefearsher family will placeher in a NH becauseshe developed
stress incontinence. Which recommendation should the nurse implement? RECOMMEND
EXERCISES TO STRENGTHEN THE PELVIC FLOOR
9. The nurseis caring for a pt whohasrecentlyhad an indwellingcatheterplaced.The nurse
should assess the pt for?A CHANGE IN MENTAL STATUS
10. An olderadultwhois on bedrestaftersurgeryis prescribedmorphinefor pain.Which of the
following is the nurse’s priority for preventive care?
CONSTIPATION
11. Which of thefollowingstatementsis a trueabouteliminationin olderadults?
DEFACATION < 1 DAY IS NOT NECESSARILY CONSTIPATION
12. Which optionis partof theprogramthataddressesbowelincontinencein an olderadult pt?
ENSURING THAT A TOILET OR COMMODE IS READILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PT
13. Which is an importantconsiderationabouttheskin of an olderadultperson?THE SKIN
BECOMES MORE VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE
,HESI Gerontology Exam RN– Complete Question and Answer Study Guide with
Rationales
14. Which topicalagentis safeto apply?LIGHT MINERAL OIL TO MOISTEN SKIN AFTER
BATHING
15. A 70 yr old womancomplainsof dry skin and asksfor advice.Which adviceshouldthe nurse offer
to this woman for improving dry skin?
KEEP BATH WATER BETWEEN 90* AND 105*F
16. The nursemonitorsfor whichclinical indicatorwhentheolderadultcomplainsof pruritus?
COARSE SKIN
17. Which infectioncontrolpracticeshouldthenurseimplementwhencaring for an older adult who
has active herpes zoster?
COVER RUPTURED SKIN LESIONS WITH A NONABSORBENT
DRESSING
17. The nurse is conductingan admissionassessmenton an older adult and notesa small lesion
with a multicolor appearance. Which assessment approach should the nurse use?
ABCD RULE
(ASYMMETRY, BORDER, COLOR, DIAMETER)
18. The nursecares foran olderman who has a malignant melanoma. Which intervention should the
nurse implement for this man to prevent a recurrence or advancement of this condition
in thefuture?
INSTRUCT HIM TO WEAR SUN-PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND A HAT AT ALL TIMES
19. Which of thefollowingis a truestatementaboutimpairedskin integrity?MUSCLE AND
FAT CANNOT REGENERATE
20. An olderadultis vitamindeficient.Which of thefollowingdoesthenurseofferto the older
adult to provide the important missing vitamin for maintaining healthy skin and enhancing tissue
repair?ORANGE SLICES
21. An older adult woman complains of foot plain from a corn. After assessing her feet, which
interventionshouldthenurseimplementto alleviateherfrom discomfort?CUT OUT AN OVAL
CORN PAD TO MAKE A U SHAPE
22. Which of the following statementsis true about Medicare for older adults? 80% OF
MEDICARE’S ANNUAL EXPENDITURES ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
23. Acuteillnessis to chronic illnessas to whichof thefollowingcomparisons?AN ER IS TO A NH
24. An olderfemalept is dx witha chronic illness.Which principleshouldthenurseapply when
answering her questions? CHRONIC ILLNESS IS UNENDING AND COPING CAN BE
INFLUENCED BY THE PERCEPTION OF UNCERTAINTY
25. Over 50% of thepopulation,aged65 + yrs, suffersfrom whichoneof thefollowing chronic
health conditions?HTN AND ARTHRITIS
, HESI Gerontology Exam RN– Complete Question and Answer Study Guide with
Rationales
26. Which older adult has the most characteristics associated with becoming frail? MALE,
HISPANIC AMERICAN, WITH HYPOPROTEINEMIA
27. Which of thefollowingdescribesthenurse’srole for an olderpt witha chronic illness?PROVIDE
CARING TO HELP THE PT LIVE AT THE OPTIMAL LEVEL OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS
28. Which of the following statements is the most suitable for establishing goals when teaching an
older adult with a chronic illness about potential changes in the health maintenance
regimen?
MANAGEMENT OF THE PT’S CHRONIC DISEASE RESTS ON THE PT AND THE
CAREGIVER; THEREFORE, THE GOALS SHOULD BE COLLABORATIVELY SET
29. Comparedwithacutepain, thefollowingis trueof persistentpain? IT CAN BRING ABOUT
CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE
30. The nurseadmitsan oldermalept whohadABD surgery.On admission,VS signs are: P-73, R-20,
BP-136/84. He is receiving IV fluids but has not requested pain meds since surgery. 7 hrs later, his
VS are: P-98, R-26, BP-164/90, and he denies pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
ASK HIM ABOUT DISCOMFORT AT THE SURGICAL SITE. (USE OLD CART – onset, location,
duration, characteristics, aggravation, relieving factors, and treatments previously used)
31. An olderfemaleadulthad hip replacementsurgery1 dayago,and thenursethinks that the woman
also has dementia. Which pt assessment does the nurse use to determine that this woman is
experiencing pain?HOLDS ABD TIGHTLY
32. An older male adult who is Hispanic states he is not having pain, but he had knee replacement
surgery2 daysago.Which is thebestassessmenttoolas recommendedby the Hartford Institute for
Geriatric Nursing from “Try This” for the nurse to apply for this man?
FACES PAIN SCALE -
REVISED
The safestopioidanalgesicchoicefor an olderpt whohassevereacutepain is whichof the following?
MORPHINE SULFATE (MORPHINE)
33. An olderadultadmittedfor backsurgeryasksfor opioidpain meds.The nurseknows the pt
asked for meds 15 min before it is due. Which recommendation should the nurse implement?
ADMINISTER THE PAIN MEDS AS PRESCRIBED
34. The nurse administers an opioid analgesic to an older male postoperative pt on a surgical
unit.
Which is themostimportantinterventionfor thenurseto implementbefore leaving the pt?
INSTRUCT HIM TO ASK FOR HELP BEFORE GETTING UP
POSITION THE PT COMFORTABLY
35. The nurse plans the care of an older female resident of a NH who has experienced a sudden
deteriorationin visualacuity.The nurseadministersan opioidanalgesicto an older male
postoperative pt on a surgical unit. Which is the most important intervention for the nurse complete
first? EXAMINE HER MOOD AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS
