HESI RN GERONTOLOGY EXIT EXAM VERSION 1 & 2
NEWEST 2026 TEST BANK| 2 VERSIONS (VERSION 1 &
2) WITH COMPLETE 500 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
1. An 82-year-old patient reports feeling dizzy when standing
up quickly. Which age-related change best explains this
symptom?
A) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
B) Increased cardiac contractility
C) Enhanced sympathetic nervous system response
D) Increased blood volume
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aging decreases baroreceptor sensitivity, leading to
orthostatic hypotension. Dizziness upon standing occurs because
blood pressure regulation is delayed. Cardiac contractility
1
,decreases, not increases; sympathetic response is blunted; blood
volume typically remains stable or decreases.
2. A nurse notes that an 85-year-old patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 mmHg. Which age-related vascular change
contributes to this finding?
A) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
B) Increased arterial compliance
C) Arterial stiffening and decreased elasticity
D) Decreased systolic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Arterial stiffening and loss of elasticity increase systolic
blood pressure and pulse pressure in older adults. Peripheral
vascular resistance increases, not decreases. Arterial compliance
decreases, not increases.
3. An older patient reports constipation. Which age-related
gastrointestinal change is the most likely cause?
2
,A) Increased gastric acid secretion
B) Increased intestinal motility
C) Decreased peristalsis and prolonged colonic transit time
D) Increased absorption of nutrients
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aging decreases peristalsis, prolongs colonic transit
time, and reduces gastric emptying, contributing to constipation.
Gastric acid secretion often decreases; motility decreases;
nutrient absorption is generally unchanged.
4. Which finding is a normal age-related change in the
respiratory system?
A) Increased vital capacity
B) Decreased residual volume
C) Decreased chest wall compliance
D) Increased cough reflex
3
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chest wall compliance decreases with age due to
calcification of costal cartilage and decreased muscle strength.
Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, cough reflex
becomes less effective.
5. An 80-year-old patient has a creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL.
The nurse understands that this value may indicate which
age-related renal change?
A) Normal finding due to decreased muscle mass
B) Indicates acute kidney injury
C) Requires immediate dialysis
D) Suggests glomerular hyperfiltration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serum creatinine may remain normal despite
significant renal function decline because older adults have
decreased muscle mass (creatinine production decreases). eGFR
4
NEWEST 2026 TEST BANK| 2 VERSIONS (VERSION 1 &
2) WITH COMPLETE 500 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ (BRAND NEW!!)
1. An 82-year-old patient reports feeling dizzy when standing
up quickly. Which age-related change best explains this
symptom?
A) Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
B) Increased cardiac contractility
C) Enhanced sympathetic nervous system response
D) Increased blood volume
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aging decreases baroreceptor sensitivity, leading to
orthostatic hypotension. Dizziness upon standing occurs because
blood pressure regulation is delayed. Cardiac contractility
1
,decreases, not increases; sympathetic response is blunted; blood
volume typically remains stable or decreases.
2. A nurse notes that an 85-year-old patient has a blood
pressure of 150/90 mmHg. Which age-related vascular change
contributes to this finding?
A) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance
B) Increased arterial compliance
C) Arterial stiffening and decreased elasticity
D) Decreased systolic pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Arterial stiffening and loss of elasticity increase systolic
blood pressure and pulse pressure in older adults. Peripheral
vascular resistance increases, not decreases. Arterial compliance
decreases, not increases.
3. An older patient reports constipation. Which age-related
gastrointestinal change is the most likely cause?
2
,A) Increased gastric acid secretion
B) Increased intestinal motility
C) Decreased peristalsis and prolonged colonic transit time
D) Increased absorption of nutrients
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Aging decreases peristalsis, prolongs colonic transit
time, and reduces gastric emptying, contributing to constipation.
Gastric acid secretion often decreases; motility decreases;
nutrient absorption is generally unchanged.
4. Which finding is a normal age-related change in the
respiratory system?
A) Increased vital capacity
B) Decreased residual volume
C) Decreased chest wall compliance
D) Increased cough reflex
3
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chest wall compliance decreases with age due to
calcification of costal cartilage and decreased muscle strength.
Vital capacity decreases, residual volume increases, cough reflex
becomes less effective.
5. An 80-year-old patient has a creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL.
The nurse understands that this value may indicate which
age-related renal change?
A) Normal finding due to decreased muscle mass
B) Indicates acute kidney injury
C) Requires immediate dialysis
D) Suggests glomerular hyperfiltration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Serum creatinine may remain normal despite
significant renal function decline because older adults have
decreased muscle mass (creatinine production decreases). eGFR
4
