1
, Gerontology HESI Exam (2026) | RN Geriatric
Exam Prep | NGN Nursing Questions (Pdf)
1. Which blood pressure change is considered a normal
age-related finding?
A. Increased systolic and decreased diastolic
B. Decreased systolic and increased diastolic
C. Decreased pulse pressure
D. No change in either systolic or diastolic
Answer: A
Rationale: Arterial stiffness increases with age, raising
systolic BP while diastolic often decreases or plateaus,
widening pulse pressure.
2. An 80-year-old’s serum creatinine is 0.7 mg/dL. The
nurse understands this indicates:
A. Excellent renal function
B. Possible low muscle mass masking renal impairment
C. Dehydration
D. Hyperfiltration
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: Low creatinine in older adults often reflects
sarcopenia; eGFR should be calculated. Normal aging
reduces GFR even if creatinine is normal.
3. Which finding indicates a pathological change, not
normal aging?
A. Decreased skin turgor on forearms
B. Loss of ability to manage finances
C. Presbyopia
D. Difficulty hearing high-pitched voices
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of executive function (financial
management) suggests dementia. Others are age-related
changes.
4. An older adult’s sleep pattern shows frequent
awakenings and less stage N3 sleep. This is:
A. Abnormal and requires a sleep study
B. A normal age-related change
3
, C. Only seen in Alzheimer’s disease
D. Diagnostic of sleep apnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging reduces deep sleep (N3) and increases
lighter sleep stages and arousals – normal.
5. Which respiratory change is expected in healthy aging?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased chest wall compliance
C. Increased PaO2
D. Increased number of alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest wall stiffens with age, decreasing
compliance. Vital capacity decreases, PaO2 decreases,
alveoli number decreases.
6. An 85-year-old reports feeling dizzy when standing
from bed. Vital signs: lying BP 130/80, standing BP
100/60, HR unchanged. Initial intervention:
A. Start midodrine
4
, Gerontology HESI Exam (2026) | RN Geriatric
Exam Prep | NGN Nursing Questions (Pdf)
1. Which blood pressure change is considered a normal
age-related finding?
A. Increased systolic and decreased diastolic
B. Decreased systolic and increased diastolic
C. Decreased pulse pressure
D. No change in either systolic or diastolic
Answer: A
Rationale: Arterial stiffness increases with age, raising
systolic BP while diastolic often decreases or plateaus,
widening pulse pressure.
2. An 80-year-old’s serum creatinine is 0.7 mg/dL. The
nurse understands this indicates:
A. Excellent renal function
B. Possible low muscle mass masking renal impairment
C. Dehydration
D. Hyperfiltration
2
,Answer: B
Rationale: Low creatinine in older adults often reflects
sarcopenia; eGFR should be calculated. Normal aging
reduces GFR even if creatinine is normal.
3. Which finding indicates a pathological change, not
normal aging?
A. Decreased skin turgor on forearms
B. Loss of ability to manage finances
C. Presbyopia
D. Difficulty hearing high-pitched voices
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of executive function (financial
management) suggests dementia. Others are age-related
changes.
4. An older adult’s sleep pattern shows frequent
awakenings and less stage N3 sleep. This is:
A. Abnormal and requires a sleep study
B. A normal age-related change
3
, C. Only seen in Alzheimer’s disease
D. Diagnostic of sleep apnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Aging reduces deep sleep (N3) and increases
lighter sleep stages and arousals – normal.
5. Which respiratory change is expected in healthy aging?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased chest wall compliance
C. Increased PaO2
D. Increased number of alveoli
Answer: B
Rationale: Chest wall stiffens with age, decreasing
compliance. Vital capacity decreases, PaO2 decreases,
alveoli number decreases.
6. An 85-year-old reports feeling dizzy when standing
from bed. Vital signs: lying BP 130/80, standing BP
100/60, HR unchanged. Initial intervention:
A. Start midodrine
4
