Page 1 of 124
HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM ALL 400
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
An older adult client diagnosed with Alzheimer disease has been receiving donepezil for the
past 6 weeks. Which change would indicate that the medication has been effective?
a. Increased muscle strength and tone
b. Fewer episodes of urinary incontinence
c. Increased ability to solve simple problems
d. Increased feelings of well-being
c. Increased ability to solve simple problems
Rationale:
Donepezil is used to improve cognitive functioning in those suffering from Alzheimer disease.
Improvement in cognitive functioning is most clearly assessed when the client exhibits
increased memory, attention, reasoning, and problem solving.
The practical nurse (PN) teaches the client how to administer regular and NPH insulins and
requests a return demonstration from the client. Which action by the client indicates
understanding of the medication instruction?
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a. The client drew up NPH and regular insulin in separate syringes.
b. The client drew up the insulin using clean technique.
c. The client drew up NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first
then the NPH insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular and NPH insulin, the regular insulin should be drawn up
first. NPH and regular insulin can be mixed. Regular insulin should be drawn up first to avoid
contamination.
(clear, then cloudy)
The nurse has reinforced instructions for a low-fat diet prescribed for an older adult to
prevent cardiovascular disease. Which meal selection best indicates the adult understands
the instructions?
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
b. Grilled steak, baked beans, and a salad
c. Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and grapes
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, Page 3 of 124
d. A green salad, with grilled chicken and ranch dressing
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
Rationale:
The best selection for an older adult client who will be eating a low-fat diet is broiled fish, green
beans, and an apple. The other meal items are too high in fat.
When caring for a client on digoxin therapy, the practical nurse (PN) knows to be alert for
digoxin toxicity. Which finding would predispose this client to developing digoxin toxicity?
a. Low serum magnesium level
b. High serum magnesium level
c. Low serum potassium level
d. High serum potassium level
c. Low serum potassium level
Rationale:
Hypokalemia predisposes the client on digoxin to digitalis toxicity, usually presenting as
abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, bradycardia, and
atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. Assessment of the serum potassium level with prompt
correction of hypokalemia is an important intervention for the client taking digoxin.
3
, Page 4 of 124
The nurse is providing instructions for safely bathing older clients to a group of newly
employed unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) in a long-term care unit. Which instruction is
most crucial to provide?
a. Make sure to bathe the residents according to the facility schedule.
b. Check the bath water temperature carefully to prevent burn injuries.
c. Ask each resident which type of bath soap the resident prefers to use.
d. Ask the resident if a tub bath or shower is the preferred method.
b. Check the bath water temperature carefully to prevent burn injuries.
Rationale:
The most crucial aspect of bathing an older adult is to make sure the bath water is neither too
hot nor too cold, as decreased peripheral sensation is common with older adults. Bathing
residents according to the facility schedule would not improve safety. Asking about personal
preference with bathing promotes independence, but it does not necessarily ensure safety.
The home care practical nurse (PN) assesses a client who takes digoxin. Which signs, if
exhibited by the client, may lead the PN to suspect digoxin toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
a. GI upset
b. Tremors
c. Diplopia
4
HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM ALL 400
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
An older adult client diagnosed with Alzheimer disease has been receiving donepezil for the
past 6 weeks. Which change would indicate that the medication has been effective?
a. Increased muscle strength and tone
b. Fewer episodes of urinary incontinence
c. Increased ability to solve simple problems
d. Increased feelings of well-being
c. Increased ability to solve simple problems
Rationale:
Donepezil is used to improve cognitive functioning in those suffering from Alzheimer disease.
Improvement in cognitive functioning is most clearly assessed when the client exhibits
increased memory, attention, reasoning, and problem solving.
The practical nurse (PN) teaches the client how to administer regular and NPH insulins and
requests a return demonstration from the client. Which action by the client indicates
understanding of the medication instruction?
1
, Page 2 of 124
a. The client drew up NPH and regular insulin in separate syringes.
b. The client drew up the insulin using clean technique.
c. The client drew up NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first
then the NPH insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular and NPH insulin, the regular insulin should be drawn up
first. NPH and regular insulin can be mixed. Regular insulin should be drawn up first to avoid
contamination.
(clear, then cloudy)
The nurse has reinforced instructions for a low-fat diet prescribed for an older adult to
prevent cardiovascular disease. Which meal selection best indicates the adult understands
the instructions?
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
b. Grilled steak, baked beans, and a salad
c. Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and grapes
2
, Page 3 of 124
d. A green salad, with grilled chicken and ranch dressing
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
Rationale:
The best selection for an older adult client who will be eating a low-fat diet is broiled fish, green
beans, and an apple. The other meal items are too high in fat.
When caring for a client on digoxin therapy, the practical nurse (PN) knows to be alert for
digoxin toxicity. Which finding would predispose this client to developing digoxin toxicity?
a. Low serum magnesium level
b. High serum magnesium level
c. Low serum potassium level
d. High serum potassium level
c. Low serum potassium level
Rationale:
Hypokalemia predisposes the client on digoxin to digitalis toxicity, usually presenting as
abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, bradycardia, and
atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. Assessment of the serum potassium level with prompt
correction of hypokalemia is an important intervention for the client taking digoxin.
3
, Page 4 of 124
The nurse is providing instructions for safely bathing older clients to a group of newly
employed unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) in a long-term care unit. Which instruction is
most crucial to provide?
a. Make sure to bathe the residents according to the facility schedule.
b. Check the bath water temperature carefully to prevent burn injuries.
c. Ask each resident which type of bath soap the resident prefers to use.
d. Ask the resident if a tub bath or shower is the preferred method.
b. Check the bath water temperature carefully to prevent burn injuries.
Rationale:
The most crucial aspect of bathing an older adult is to make sure the bath water is neither too
hot nor too cold, as decreased peripheral sensation is common with older adults. Bathing
residents according to the facility schedule would not improve safety. Asking about personal
preference with bathing promotes independence, but it does not necessarily ensure safety.
The home care practical nurse (PN) assesses a client who takes digoxin. Which signs, if
exhibited by the client, may lead the PN to suspect digoxin toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
a. GI upset
b. Tremors
c. Diplopia
4
