HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The oral temperature of a client with a urinary tract infection is
103° F. Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN)
implement first?
a. Instruct the client on proper hygienic practices.
b. Observe the color or odor of urine.
c. Recheck the temperature rectally.
d. Encourage fluid intake. Answer: d. Encourage fluid intake.
Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower
the temperature as soon as possible.
◉ An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to
medication use. When reviewing the client's medical records, the
nurse is most likely to find which factor is correlated with this
problem?
a. The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication.
b. The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased.
,c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
d. The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years. Answer: c.
The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not
cause drug toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity. Elevated
white blood cell counts and weight gain would not likely cause drug
toxicity.
◉ The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for
signs of breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What
interventions by the PN will help maintain healthy skin integrity?
a. Keep the client well hydrated.
b. Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin.
c. Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry.
d. Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement.
Answer: a. Keep the client well hydrated.
Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and
infection.
,◉ The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for
antihypertensive medication with an older adult. Which statement
by the client best indicates learning has been effective?
a. "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication."
b. "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children."
c. "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some
food."
d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting
down." Answer: d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have
been sitting down."
Older adults are particularly likely to develop orthostatic
hypotension after taking medications to treat hypertension. It is not
necessary for the older adult to stay in bed while taking this
medication. Some medications should be taken with food, others on
an empty stomach. Each medication should be individually
researched. While it is important to prevent children from
consuming medications intended for the older adult, the focus of this
question is the safety of the older adult.
◉ An older adult client tells the nurse "I do not understand how I
could have a sexually transmitted disease! My partner seems like
such a nice, clean person." Which explanation should the nurse
provide?
a. Most people in your age are not interested in sexual relationships.
, b. You should have discussed this with your family before you
started dating.
c. Maybe you should go back to just holding hands and hugging on
dates.
d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of
your life. Answer: d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to
have at any age of your life.
Sexually transmitted diseases are possible at any age. It is
inappropriate, untrue, and ageist to comment that older adults are
not interested in sexual relations. It is very judgmental for the nurse
to suggest the older adult should have sought their family's input or
that the older adult should stop having sexual relations.
◉ 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.
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The oral temperature of a client with a urinary tract infection is
103° F. Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN)
implement first?
a. Instruct the client on proper hygienic practices.
b. Observe the color or odor of urine.
c. Recheck the temperature rectally.
d. Encourage fluid intake. Answer: d. Encourage fluid intake.
Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower
the temperature as soon as possible.
◉ An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to
medication use. When reviewing the client's medical records, the
nurse is most likely to find which factor is correlated with this
problem?
a. The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication.
b. The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased.
,c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
d. The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years. Answer: c.
The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not
cause drug toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity. Elevated
white blood cell counts and weight gain would not likely cause drug
toxicity.
◉ The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for
signs of breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What
interventions by the PN will help maintain healthy skin integrity?
a. Keep the client well hydrated.
b. Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin.
c. Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry.
d. Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement.
Answer: a. Keep the client well hydrated.
Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and
infection.
,◉ The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for
antihypertensive medication with an older adult. Which statement
by the client best indicates learning has been effective?
a. "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication."
b. "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children."
c. "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some
food."
d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting
down." Answer: d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have
been sitting down."
Older adults are particularly likely to develop orthostatic
hypotension after taking medications to treat hypertension. It is not
necessary for the older adult to stay in bed while taking this
medication. Some medications should be taken with food, others on
an empty stomach. Each medication should be individually
researched. While it is important to prevent children from
consuming medications intended for the older adult, the focus of this
question is the safety of the older adult.
◉ An older adult client tells the nurse "I do not understand how I
could have a sexually transmitted disease! My partner seems like
such a nice, clean person." Which explanation should the nurse
provide?
a. Most people in your age are not interested in sexual relationships.
, b. You should have discussed this with your family before you
started dating.
c. Maybe you should go back to just holding hands and hugging on
dates.
d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of
your life. Answer: d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to
have at any age of your life.
Sexually transmitted diseases are possible at any age. It is
inappropriate, untrue, and ageist to comment that older adults are
not interested in sexual relations. It is very judgmental for the nurse
to suggest the older adult should have sought their family's input or
that the older adult should stop having sexual relations.
◉ 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.
