Gerontology HESI Practice Exam Questions
and Correct Answers
Question 1
You determine your patient is suffering from hyperinsulinemia. He asks what that
means. What do you tell him?
Too much insulin in the blood.
High blood pressure.
Too much thyroid hormone.
Too much sugar in the blood.
Correct Answer
Too much insulin in the blood.
An important part of being a GNP is not just assessing, diagnosing, and treating
patients. GNPs must be knowledgeable of medical terminology and be eloquent in
defining said terminology for patients.
Question 2
An 88-year-old female patient comes into the clinic with her heart "racing and feeling
funny." The ECG confirms atrial fibrillation. The GNP understands that this condition is
managed by all of the following except:
treating the underlying disease
electrical cardioversion
heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic therapy
IV management with digoxin as first line therapy
Correct Answer
heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic therapy
The antithrombotic drug of choice for atrial fibrillation is warfarin (Coumadin).
Page 1 of 297
,Question 3
You are treating a 68-year-old African-American female who has multiple risk factors
for osteoporosis. Which of the following is NOT one of these risk factors?
her age
her excessive alcohol intake
her smoking
her race
Correct Answer
her race
All of the choices are risk factors except her race. African-American race is not a risk
factor. Caucasian and Asian race ARE risk factors.
Question 4
You are providing patient education to a patient who has recently been diagnosed
with shingles. Which of the following is NOT true of the way this patient should care
for his rash?
He should leave the rash uncovered to speed healing.
He should keep the rash covered.
He should keep the rash clean and dry.
He should use only nonadhesive bandages on the rash.
Correct Answer
He should leave the rash uncovered to speed healing.
Patients with herpes zoster - shingles - should keep their rashes clean, dry, and
covered. The adhesive in bandages can irritate the shingles, so only nonadhesive
bandages should be used.
Page 2 of 297
,Question 5
All of the following are examples of active immunity except:
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)
hepatitis A 2 dose series immunization
immunization for the influenza virus
Correct Answer
hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)
Passive immunization occurs through the use of immune globulin (IG) whereas
active immunization occurs through the use of vaccines. The other choices are
vaccinations.
Question 6
All but which of the following increase a geriatric patient's risk of abuse or
mistreatment?
Taking multiple medications.
Impaired mobility.
Risk for fall.
Being male.
Correct Answer
Being male.
Geriatric patients may be at risk for elder abuse or mistreatment. Several factors
increase the risk, especially those that contribute to overall frailty. Taking multiple
medications, having decreased strength or factors that increase fall risk, cognitive
impairment, and dependency on others all increase a patient's risk. Female patients
are at greater risk than male patients.
Page 3 of 297
, Question 7
During the quarterly evaluations of the clients in the assisted living community, the
registered nurse (RN) assesses for findings of failure to thrive in the older population.
What findings should the RN document and report as manifestations related to failure
to thrive? (Select all that apply.)
A. Unintentional weight loss
B. Increased weakness
C. Increased amounts of sleep
D. Irritation and agitation
E. Seeking constant attention from caregiver
Correct Answer
(A) Unintentional weight loss
(B) Increased weakness
(C) Increased amounts of sleep
Rationale: (A, B and C) are correct. Symptoms of failure to thrive in the older
population include weight loss, weakness and excessive sleep, which should be
documented and evaluated by a healthcare provider immediately. (D and E) are not
usual signs and symptoms of failure to thrive but should be reviewed by the
healthcare provider.
Question 8
What is the first-line drug intervention in an anaphylatic episode?
oral prednisone therapy
parental epinephrine
inhaled epinephrine
oral diphenhydramine
Correct Answer
parental epinephrine
Parental epinephrine and diphenhydramine are priority medication interventions in
anaphylaxis. Oral prednisone is often given once the patient is stable to decrease
the inflammatory response. Inhaled epinephrine is not the standard of care. Oral
diphenhydramine may be used after stabilization for symptom relief purposes.
Page 4 of 297
and Correct Answers
Question 1
You determine your patient is suffering from hyperinsulinemia. He asks what that
means. What do you tell him?
Too much insulin in the blood.
High blood pressure.
Too much thyroid hormone.
Too much sugar in the blood.
Correct Answer
Too much insulin in the blood.
An important part of being a GNP is not just assessing, diagnosing, and treating
patients. GNPs must be knowledgeable of medical terminology and be eloquent in
defining said terminology for patients.
Question 2
An 88-year-old female patient comes into the clinic with her heart "racing and feeling
funny." The ECG confirms atrial fibrillation. The GNP understands that this condition is
managed by all of the following except:
treating the underlying disease
electrical cardioversion
heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic therapy
IV management with digoxin as first line therapy
Correct Answer
heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic therapy
The antithrombotic drug of choice for atrial fibrillation is warfarin (Coumadin).
Page 1 of 297
,Question 3
You are treating a 68-year-old African-American female who has multiple risk factors
for osteoporosis. Which of the following is NOT one of these risk factors?
her age
her excessive alcohol intake
her smoking
her race
Correct Answer
her race
All of the choices are risk factors except her race. African-American race is not a risk
factor. Caucasian and Asian race ARE risk factors.
Question 4
You are providing patient education to a patient who has recently been diagnosed
with shingles. Which of the following is NOT true of the way this patient should care
for his rash?
He should leave the rash uncovered to speed healing.
He should keep the rash covered.
He should keep the rash clean and dry.
He should use only nonadhesive bandages on the rash.
Correct Answer
He should leave the rash uncovered to speed healing.
Patients with herpes zoster - shingles - should keep their rashes clean, dry, and
covered. The adhesive in bandages can irritate the shingles, so only nonadhesive
bandages should be used.
Page 2 of 297
,Question 5
All of the following are examples of active immunity except:
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)
hepatitis A 2 dose series immunization
immunization for the influenza virus
Correct Answer
hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG)
Passive immunization occurs through the use of immune globulin (IG) whereas
active immunization occurs through the use of vaccines. The other choices are
vaccinations.
Question 6
All but which of the following increase a geriatric patient's risk of abuse or
mistreatment?
Taking multiple medications.
Impaired mobility.
Risk for fall.
Being male.
Correct Answer
Being male.
Geriatric patients may be at risk for elder abuse or mistreatment. Several factors
increase the risk, especially those that contribute to overall frailty. Taking multiple
medications, having decreased strength or factors that increase fall risk, cognitive
impairment, and dependency on others all increase a patient's risk. Female patients
are at greater risk than male patients.
Page 3 of 297
, Question 7
During the quarterly evaluations of the clients in the assisted living community, the
registered nurse (RN) assesses for findings of failure to thrive in the older population.
What findings should the RN document and report as manifestations related to failure
to thrive? (Select all that apply.)
A. Unintentional weight loss
B. Increased weakness
C. Increased amounts of sleep
D. Irritation and agitation
E. Seeking constant attention from caregiver
Correct Answer
(A) Unintentional weight loss
(B) Increased weakness
(C) Increased amounts of sleep
Rationale: (A, B and C) are correct. Symptoms of failure to thrive in the older
population include weight loss, weakness and excessive sleep, which should be
documented and evaluated by a healthcare provider immediately. (D and E) are not
usual signs and symptoms of failure to thrive but should be reviewed by the
healthcare provider.
Question 8
What is the first-line drug intervention in an anaphylatic episode?
oral prednisone therapy
parental epinephrine
inhaled epinephrine
oral diphenhydramine
Correct Answer
parental epinephrine
Parental epinephrine and diphenhydramine are priority medication interventions in
anaphylaxis. Oral prednisone is often given once the patient is stable to decrease
the inflammatory response. Inhaled epinephrine is not the standard of care. Oral
diphenhydramine may be used after stabilization for symptom relief purposes.
Page 4 of 297
