HESI PN-Gerontology Exam Questions and
Correction Answers
Question 1
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.
Correct Answer
d. Encourage fluid intake.
Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower the temperature
as soon as possible.
Question 2
The hospitalized client with end-stage renal disease has expressed verbal and written
wishes not to be resuscitated. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take?
a. Bring the crash cart into the room.
b. Ask the client to validate end-of-life wishes.
c. Keep the client as comfortable as possible.
d. Ask the family if they want the client resuscitated.
Correct Answer
c. Keep the client as comfortable as possible.
Clients have the right to make decisions regarding their care, up to and including
resuscitative measures. The practical PN must respect the client's wishes by keeping
him comfortable.
Page 1 of 37
,Question 3
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
Correct Answer
c. Low serum potassium level
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.
Question 4
The client complains of nausea and vomiting about 1 hour after taking the morning
dose of an oral antidiabetic agent, glyburide. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
a. Administer an additional dose of glyburide.
b. Take the client's blood glucose levels and administer insulin subcutaneously.
c. Check the blood glucose level and monitor for signs of hyperglycemia.
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
When a client who has taken an oral antidiabetic agent vomits, the practical nurse
(PN) should monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
Page 2 of 37
,Question 5
The nurse at a long-term care facility is working with a group of unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAPs) and is asking the UAPs to provide oral care to the residents. The
nurse should explain this is important to provide for which vital reasons? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Inspecting agencies review medical records for compliance
b. Frequent oral care reduces halitosis, or bad breath, in older adults
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh vegetables
Correct Answer
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh vegetables
It is important to ensure that older adults receive adequate oral care, because
cavities, dry mouth, and missing teeth can lead to teeth loss. This can cause severe
nutritional problems due to the inability to chew meats, fresh fruits and vegetables,
and other essential food items. While it is true that inspecting agencies often review
medical records, this is not the most crucial reason to provide this care. Halitosis can
be caused by poor oral hygiene, but this is also not the most crucial reason to
provide care.
Page 3 of 37
, Question 6
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
Correct Answer
c. Tachycardia
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.
Question 7
An older client is admitted to the hospital after experiencing confusion, nausea and
vomiting, and headache for several days. The client's pulse rate is 43 beats/min. The
practical nurse (PN) is most concerned about the client's history related to what
medication?
a. Warfarin
b. Ibuprofen
c. Nitroglycerin
d. Digoxin
Correct Answer
d. Digoxin
Older adult persons are particularly susceptible to the buildup of cardiac glycosides
such as digoxin which leads to a toxic level within their systems. Toxicity can cause
anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue.
Page 4 of 37
Correction Answers
Question 1
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.
Correct Answer
d. Encourage fluid intake.
Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower the temperature
as soon as possible.
Question 2
The hospitalized client with end-stage renal disease has expressed verbal and written
wishes not to be resuscitated. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) take?
a. Bring the crash cart into the room.
b. Ask the client to validate end-of-life wishes.
c. Keep the client as comfortable as possible.
d. Ask the family if they want the client resuscitated.
Correct Answer
c. Keep the client as comfortable as possible.
Clients have the right to make decisions regarding their care, up to and including
resuscitative measures. The practical PN must respect the client's wishes by keeping
him comfortable.
Page 1 of 37
,Question 3
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
Correct Answer
c. Low serum potassium level
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.
Question 4
The client complains of nausea and vomiting about 1 hour after taking the morning
dose of an oral antidiabetic agent, glyburide. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
a. Administer an additional dose of glyburide.
b. Take the client's blood glucose levels and administer insulin subcutaneously.
c. Check the blood glucose level and monitor for signs of hyperglycemia.
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
When a client who has taken an oral antidiabetic agent vomits, the practical nurse
(PN) should monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
Page 2 of 37
,Question 5
The nurse at a long-term care facility is working with a group of unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAPs) and is asking the UAPs to provide oral care to the residents. The
nurse should explain this is important to provide for which vital reasons? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Inspecting agencies review medical records for compliance
b. Frequent oral care reduces halitosis, or bad breath, in older adults
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh vegetables
Correct Answer
c. Dental caries, or cavities, can occur in older adults resulting in teeth loss
d. Dry mouth in older adults may cause a decreased appetite, resulting in poor
nutrition
e. If multiple teeth are missing, the older adult has difficulty eating fresh vegetables
It is important to ensure that older adults receive adequate oral care, because
cavities, dry mouth, and missing teeth can lead to teeth loss. This can cause severe
nutritional problems due to the inability to chew meats, fresh fruits and vegetables,
and other essential food items. While it is true that inspecting agencies often review
medical records, this is not the most crucial reason to provide this care. Halitosis can
be caused by poor oral hygiene, but this is also not the most crucial reason to
provide care.
Page 3 of 37
, Question 6
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
Correct Answer
c. Tachycardia
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.
Question 7
An older client is admitted to the hospital after experiencing confusion, nausea and
vomiting, and headache for several days. The client's pulse rate is 43 beats/min. The
practical nurse (PN) is most concerned about the client's history related to what
medication?
a. Warfarin
b. Ibuprofen
c. Nitroglycerin
d. Digoxin
Correct Answer
d. Digoxin
Older adult persons are particularly susceptible to the buildup of cardiac glycosides
such as digoxin which leads to a toxic level within their systems. Toxicity can cause
anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue.
Page 4 of 37
