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PN HESI EXIT EXAM / HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXIT EXAM REAL EXAM
2026 COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED
ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATES |ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. An older adult who lives independently reports that during the past several
months the client has gradually stopped participating in favorite social
activities, has reduced appetite, sleeps poorly, and frequently states, “There
is no point in doing anything anymore.” The nurse recognizes that these
findings require further assessment rather than being automatically
attributed to normal aging. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Assess the client for depression, suicidal thoughts, functional changes,
and other contributing factors.
B. Explain that withdrawal and sleep changes are expected consequences of
aging.
C. Encourage the client to remain alone until the symptoms resolve.
D. Tell the family that cognitive decline is the most likely explanation.
Answer: A. Assess the client for depression, suicidal thoughts, functional
changes, and other contributing factors.
2. A 79-year-old hospitalized client becomes acutely confused several hours
after admission. The client is unable to maintain attention, alternates
between periods of agitation and drowsiness, and was oriented
appropriately at home yesterday. Which condition should the practical
nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer disease
B. Delirium
C. Normal age-related memory loss
D. Long-standing dementia
Answer: B. Delirium
3. An older adult with newly diagnosed delirium becomes increasingly restless
at night and repeatedly attempts to climb out of bed. The client's
medication list includes several drugs that can contribute to confusion.
,2
Which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
A. Keep the client in a dark room to encourage sleep.
B. Apply restraints immediately to prevent all movement.
C. Assess for and address reversible causes while maintaining safety and
orientation.
D. Tell the client repeatedly that the behavior is inappropriate.
Answer: C. Assess for and address reversible causes while maintaining
safety and orientation.
4. An 82-year-old client with dementia is unable to remember recent
conversations but can still perform familiar activities with appropriate cues.
The family asks whether this automatically means the client has normal
aging. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “All memory loss after age 65 is considered normal.”
B. “Dementia is diagnosed whenever a person forgets appointments.”
C. “Memory loss is always caused by depression in older adults.”
D. “Progressive cognitive decline that interferes with daily functioning is not
considered normal aging.”
Answer: D. “Progressive cognitive decline that interferes with daily
functioning is not considered normal aging.”
5. A client with Alzheimer disease becomes frightened when several
unfamiliar caregivers enter the room at once. The client begins shouting
and attempting to leave. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Reduce environmental stimulation and use a calm, familiar approach.
B. Correct the client loudly so the client understands the situation.
C. Move the client immediately to a busy common area.
D. Tell the client that the behavior will result in loss of privileges.
Answer: A. Reduce environmental stimulation and use a calm, familiar
approach.
6. A 76-year-old client reports difficulty seeing at night and states that
headlights from approaching vehicles create significant glare. Which nursing
recommendation is most appropriate?
,3
A. Encourage the client to drive only during heavy rain.
B. Recommend evaluation of vision and discuss safer transportation
alternatives if driving ability is impaired.
C. Tell the client that visual changes are unavoidable and require no
evaluation.
D. Recommend using sunglasses while driving at night.
Answer: B. Recommend evaluation of vision and discuss safer
transportation alternatives if driving ability is impaired.
7. An older adult taking multiple prescribed medications, over-the-counter
products, and herbal supplements reports dizziness and two recent falls.
Which nursing action is most important?
A. Tell the client to stop all medications immediately.
B. Encourage the client to increase caffeine consumption.
C. Obtain a complete medication history and assess for adverse effects and
interactions.
D. Tell the client to remain in bed permanently.
Answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history and assess for adverse
effects and interactions.
8. A 78-year-old client has difficulty hearing the nurse during medication
teaching. Which communication technique is best?
A. Speak rapidly so the teaching session is shorter.
B. Shout directly into the client's ear.
C. Stand behind the client while explaining the medication.
D. Face the client, speak clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace, and
reduce background noise.
Answer: D. Face the client, speak clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace,
and reduce background noise.
9. An older adult with osteoarthritis reports chronic knee pain rated 7/10 but
states, “I do not want to bother the nurse.” Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A. Explain that persistent pain should be reported because pain is not an
, 4
inevitable part of aging.
B. Tell the client that older adults usually tolerate pain better.
C. Wait until the client requests medication.
D. Explain that chronic pain is expected and cannot be eliminated.
Answer: A. Explain that persistent pain should be reported because pain is
not an inevitable part of aging.
10. A 74-year-old client is prescribed an opioid analgesic after hip surgery. The
client is also receiving a sedative and has a history of falls. Which
assessment is the priority before administering the opioid?
A. Hair and skin condition
B. Level of consciousness, respiratory status, and current sedation
C. Daily weight only
D. Visual acuity
Answer: B. Level of consciousness, respiratory status, and current sedation
11. A client with heart failure has been instructed to monitor daily weight. The
client asks why this is necessary when there is no visible swelling. Which
explanation is most appropriate?
A. Weight monitoring determines whether the client is eating enough
protein.
B. Weight monitoring replaces the need for prescribed medications.
C. Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention before obvious edema
becomes apparent.
D. Weight monitoring is necessary only for clients with kidney disease.
Answer: C. Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention before obvious
edema becomes apparent.
12. An older adult with hypertension reports taking the prescribed medication
only when a headache occurs because the blood pressure “feels normal” on
other days. Which teaching should the nurse provide?
A. Antihypertensive medication is needed only when symptoms are present.
B. The client should double the dose whenever a headache develops.
C. The medication should be taken only when the blood pressure is above
PN HESI EXIT EXAM / HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXIT EXAM REAL EXAM
2026 COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED
ANSWERS (100% VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATES |ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. An older adult who lives independently reports that during the past several
months the client has gradually stopped participating in favorite social
activities, has reduced appetite, sleeps poorly, and frequently states, “There
is no point in doing anything anymore.” The nurse recognizes that these
findings require further assessment rather than being automatically
attributed to normal aging. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Assess the client for depression, suicidal thoughts, functional changes,
and other contributing factors.
B. Explain that withdrawal and sleep changes are expected consequences of
aging.
C. Encourage the client to remain alone until the symptoms resolve.
D. Tell the family that cognitive decline is the most likely explanation.
Answer: A. Assess the client for depression, suicidal thoughts, functional
changes, and other contributing factors.
2. A 79-year-old hospitalized client becomes acutely confused several hours
after admission. The client is unable to maintain attention, alternates
between periods of agitation and drowsiness, and was oriented
appropriately at home yesterday. Which condition should the practical
nurse suspect first?
A. Alzheimer disease
B. Delirium
C. Normal age-related memory loss
D. Long-standing dementia
Answer: B. Delirium
3. An older adult with newly diagnosed delirium becomes increasingly restless
at night and repeatedly attempts to climb out of bed. The client's
medication list includes several drugs that can contribute to confusion.
,2
Which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
A. Keep the client in a dark room to encourage sleep.
B. Apply restraints immediately to prevent all movement.
C. Assess for and address reversible causes while maintaining safety and
orientation.
D. Tell the client repeatedly that the behavior is inappropriate.
Answer: C. Assess for and address reversible causes while maintaining
safety and orientation.
4. An 82-year-old client with dementia is unable to remember recent
conversations but can still perform familiar activities with appropriate cues.
The family asks whether this automatically means the client has normal
aging. Which response is most appropriate?
A. “All memory loss after age 65 is considered normal.”
B. “Dementia is diagnosed whenever a person forgets appointments.”
C. “Memory loss is always caused by depression in older adults.”
D. “Progressive cognitive decline that interferes with daily functioning is not
considered normal aging.”
Answer: D. “Progressive cognitive decline that interferes with daily
functioning is not considered normal aging.”
5. A client with Alzheimer disease becomes frightened when several
unfamiliar caregivers enter the room at once. The client begins shouting
and attempting to leave. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Reduce environmental stimulation and use a calm, familiar approach.
B. Correct the client loudly so the client understands the situation.
C. Move the client immediately to a busy common area.
D. Tell the client that the behavior will result in loss of privileges.
Answer: A. Reduce environmental stimulation and use a calm, familiar
approach.
6. A 76-year-old client reports difficulty seeing at night and states that
headlights from approaching vehicles create significant glare. Which nursing
recommendation is most appropriate?
,3
A. Encourage the client to drive only during heavy rain.
B. Recommend evaluation of vision and discuss safer transportation
alternatives if driving ability is impaired.
C. Tell the client that visual changes are unavoidable and require no
evaluation.
D. Recommend using sunglasses while driving at night.
Answer: B. Recommend evaluation of vision and discuss safer
transportation alternatives if driving ability is impaired.
7. An older adult taking multiple prescribed medications, over-the-counter
products, and herbal supplements reports dizziness and two recent falls.
Which nursing action is most important?
A. Tell the client to stop all medications immediately.
B. Encourage the client to increase caffeine consumption.
C. Obtain a complete medication history and assess for adverse effects and
interactions.
D. Tell the client to remain in bed permanently.
Answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history and assess for adverse
effects and interactions.
8. A 78-year-old client has difficulty hearing the nurse during medication
teaching. Which communication technique is best?
A. Speak rapidly so the teaching session is shorter.
B. Shout directly into the client's ear.
C. Stand behind the client while explaining the medication.
D. Face the client, speak clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace, and
reduce background noise.
Answer: D. Face the client, speak clearly at a normal or slightly slower pace,
and reduce background noise.
9. An older adult with osteoarthritis reports chronic knee pain rated 7/10 but
states, “I do not want to bother the nurse.” Which nursing response is most
appropriate?
A. Explain that persistent pain should be reported because pain is not an
, 4
inevitable part of aging.
B. Tell the client that older adults usually tolerate pain better.
C. Wait until the client requests medication.
D. Explain that chronic pain is expected and cannot be eliminated.
Answer: A. Explain that persistent pain should be reported because pain is
not an inevitable part of aging.
10. A 74-year-old client is prescribed an opioid analgesic after hip surgery. The
client is also receiving a sedative and has a history of falls. Which
assessment is the priority before administering the opioid?
A. Hair and skin condition
B. Level of consciousness, respiratory status, and current sedation
C. Daily weight only
D. Visual acuity
Answer: B. Level of consciousness, respiratory status, and current sedation
11. A client with heart failure has been instructed to monitor daily weight. The
client asks why this is necessary when there is no visible swelling. Which
explanation is most appropriate?
A. Weight monitoring determines whether the client is eating enough
protein.
B. Weight monitoring replaces the need for prescribed medications.
C. Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention before obvious edema
becomes apparent.
D. Weight monitoring is necessary only for clients with kidney disease.
Answer: C. Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention before obvious
edema becomes apparent.
12. An older adult with hypertension reports taking the prescribed medication
only when a headache occurs because the blood pressure “feels normal” on
other days. Which teaching should the nurse provide?
A. Antihypertensive medication is needed only when symptoms are present.
B. The client should double the dose whenever a headache develops.
C. The medication should be taken only when the blood pressure is above
