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HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM|| ACCURATE AND FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES||
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
When observing an older client with dementia for symptoms of Sundowning syndrome,
it is most important that the practical nurse (PN) assesses for which finding?
a. Observe for agitation at the end of the day.
b. Perform a neurological and mental status examination.
c. Monitor for medication side effects.
d. Assess for decreased gross motor movement. - ANSWER: a. Observe for
agitation at the end of the day.
Sundowning syndrome is a pattern of agitated behavior in the evening, believed to be
associated with tiredness at the end of the day combined with fewer orienting stimuli,
such as activities and interactions.
The practical nurse (PN) working at an assisted living facility is visiting with a
client whose spouse died 8 months ago. Which behavior by the client suggests
ineffective coping with the spouse's death?
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
b. Insists on visiting the gravesite once a month.
c. Joins an exercise class at the assisted living facility.
d. Keeps their photo albums out and looks through them frequently. - ANSWER:
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
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Ineffective coping is manifested by behaviors that may be physically or psychologically
harmful to the individual. Neglecting personal hygiene is an example of ineffective
coping.
When initially monitoring a client after a fall, which information should the practical
nurse (PN) communicate immediately to the health care provider? (Select all that apply.)
a. Change in the level of consciousness
b. Increasing muscular weakness
c. Changes in pupil size bilaterally
d. Progressive nuchal rigidity
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting - ANSWER: a. Change in the level of
consciousness
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting
A decrease or change in the level of consciousness is usually the first indication of
neurological deterioration. Nausea and vomiting may also be present.
An older adult client is seen in the clinic for problems with urinary frequency, urgency,
and nocturia. The symptoms are an example of which condition?
a. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
b. Normal aging changes
c. Side effect of the diuretic furosemide
d. Partial obstruction of the urethra - ANSWER: b. Normal aging changes
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Normal aging changes in the bladder are decreased capacity, increased irritability, and
incomplete emptying; these changes lead to frequency, nocturia, urgency, and
vulnerability to infection. The majority of UTIs in the older adult are asymptomatic.
Classic signs of UTIs are fever, dysuria, and flank pain.
An older adult client is recovering from a hip fracture. The health care provider has
prescribed home health care nursing upon discharge. Which statement describes the
primary goal for the client?
a. Return the client to his or her previous lifestyle.
b. Avoid dependency on medication therapy.
c. Establish self-care and independence.
d. Maintain a friendly relationship with family members. - ANSWER: c. Establish self-
care and independence.
Loss of independence is a significant issue with the aging population and is one of the
most important issues for the home health practical nurse (PN) to establish with the
client. Establishing the client's individual goals is the primary concern of the home
health care PN.
An older client at a long-term care facility is to be monitored for early signs of
pneumonia. The practical nurse's (PN) observation of the client will most likely show
which early sign(s)/symptom(s)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fever
b. Abnormal breath sounds
c. Tachycardia
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea - ANSWER: c. Tachycardia
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d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea
The onset of pneumonia in the older adult may be signaled by general deterioration,
confusion, increased heart rate, or increased respiratory rate. Fever and abnormal
breath sounds occur later with the older adult.
The nurse is assisting with data collection for an older adult who is taking daily aspirin
to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. Which concern should the nurse report to
the health care provider as soon as possible?
a. "I feel really cold much of the time."
b. "I wish my children would visit more."
c. "Lately it's harder to drive a car at night."
d. "My stools are sticky and are dark black." - ANSWER: d. "My stools are sticky and are
dark black."
Dark tarry stools are an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding, an adverse effect of the
daily aspirin this client is taking. There is no immediate need to contact the health
care provider about the client feeling cold or wishing children would visit more. This
client's inability to drive at night is a concern, and should be discussed, but
gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be dealt with first.
The nurse is reinforcing education with an older adult regarding smoking cessation.
The nurse recognizes teaching has been effective if the client makes which statement?
a. "Stopping smoking reverses damage from emphysema."
b. "Stopping smoking will not really benefit me at my age anyway."
HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM|| ACCURATE AND FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND 100% CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES||
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH EXPERT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
When observing an older client with dementia for symptoms of Sundowning syndrome,
it is most important that the practical nurse (PN) assesses for which finding?
a. Observe for agitation at the end of the day.
b. Perform a neurological and mental status examination.
c. Monitor for medication side effects.
d. Assess for decreased gross motor movement. - ANSWER: a. Observe for
agitation at the end of the day.
Sundowning syndrome is a pattern of agitated behavior in the evening, believed to be
associated with tiredness at the end of the day combined with fewer orienting stimuli,
such as activities and interactions.
The practical nurse (PN) working at an assisted living facility is visiting with a
client whose spouse died 8 months ago. Which behavior by the client suggests
ineffective coping with the spouse's death?
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
b. Insists on visiting the gravesite once a month.
c. Joins an exercise class at the assisted living facility.
d. Keeps their photo albums out and looks through them frequently. - ANSWER:
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
,2|Page
Ineffective coping is manifested by behaviors that may be physically or psychologically
harmful to the individual. Neglecting personal hygiene is an example of ineffective
coping.
When initially monitoring a client after a fall, which information should the practical
nurse (PN) communicate immediately to the health care provider? (Select all that apply.)
a. Change in the level of consciousness
b. Increasing muscular weakness
c. Changes in pupil size bilaterally
d. Progressive nuchal rigidity
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting - ANSWER: a. Change in the level of
consciousness
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting
A decrease or change in the level of consciousness is usually the first indication of
neurological deterioration. Nausea and vomiting may also be present.
An older adult client is seen in the clinic for problems with urinary frequency, urgency,
and nocturia. The symptoms are an example of which condition?
a. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
b. Normal aging changes
c. Side effect of the diuretic furosemide
d. Partial obstruction of the urethra - ANSWER: b. Normal aging changes
,3|Page
Normal aging changes in the bladder are decreased capacity, increased irritability, and
incomplete emptying; these changes lead to frequency, nocturia, urgency, and
vulnerability to infection. The majority of UTIs in the older adult are asymptomatic.
Classic signs of UTIs are fever, dysuria, and flank pain.
An older adult client is recovering from a hip fracture. The health care provider has
prescribed home health care nursing upon discharge. Which statement describes the
primary goal for the client?
a. Return the client to his or her previous lifestyle.
b. Avoid dependency on medication therapy.
c. Establish self-care and independence.
d. Maintain a friendly relationship with family members. - ANSWER: c. Establish self-
care and independence.
Loss of independence is a significant issue with the aging population and is one of the
most important issues for the home health practical nurse (PN) to establish with the
client. Establishing the client's individual goals is the primary concern of the home
health care PN.
An older client at a long-term care facility is to be monitored for early signs of
pneumonia. The practical nurse's (PN) observation of the client will most likely show
which early sign(s)/symptom(s)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fever
b. Abnormal breath sounds
c. Tachycardia
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea - ANSWER: c. Tachycardia
, 4|Page
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea
The onset of pneumonia in the older adult may be signaled by general deterioration,
confusion, increased heart rate, or increased respiratory rate. Fever and abnormal
breath sounds occur later with the older adult.
The nurse is assisting with data collection for an older adult who is taking daily aspirin
to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. Which concern should the nurse report to
the health care provider as soon as possible?
a. "I feel really cold much of the time."
b. "I wish my children would visit more."
c. "Lately it's harder to drive a car at night."
d. "My stools are sticky and are dark black." - ANSWER: d. "My stools are sticky and are
dark black."
Dark tarry stools are an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding, an adverse effect of the
daily aspirin this client is taking. There is no immediate need to contact the health
care provider about the client feeling cold or wishing children would visit more. This
client's inability to drive at night is a concern, and should be discussed, but
gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be dealt with first.
The nurse is reinforcing education with an older adult regarding smoking cessation.
The nurse recognizes teaching has been effective if the client makes which statement?
a. "Stopping smoking reverses damage from emphysema."
b. "Stopping smoking will not really benefit me at my age anyway."
