HESI PN-Gerontology Exam 2026/2027 |
Key Concepts, Questions & Detailed
Rationales
A male client is seen in the clinic for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Which
intervention is essential for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the client's visit?
a. Reeducate the client about limiting fluid intake.
b. Reassure the client that his BPH is a non-life-threatening condition.
c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream.
d. Inform the client that there may be a genetic predisposition for male family
members. - correct answer-c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or
split urinary stream.
These symptoms may indicate progression of BPH to partial obstruction of the
urethra, a medical emergency, and need to be reported to the health care
provider. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited; hydration needs to be
maintained.
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.
An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to medication use. When
reviewing the client's medical records, the nurse is most likely to find which factor
is correlated with this problem?
a. The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication.
b. The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased.
c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
d. The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years. - correct answer-c. The
client's liver function has decreased since last year.
With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not cause drug
toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity. Elevated white blood cell counts and
weight gain would not likely cause drug toxicity.
The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for signs of
breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What interventions by the PN will
help maintain healthy skin integrity?
,a. Keep the client well hydrated.
b. Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin.
c. Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry.
d. Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement. - correct
answer-a. Keep the client well hydrated.
Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and infection.
The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for antihypertensive
medication with an older adult. Which statement by the client best indicates
learning has been effective?
a. "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication."
b. "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children."
c. "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some food."
d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down." - correct
answer-d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down."
Older adults are particularly likely to develop orthostatic hypotension after taking
medications to treat hypertension. It is not necessary for the older adult to stay in
bed while taking this medication. Some medications should be taken with food,
others on an empty stomach. Each medication should be individually researched.
While it is important to prevent children from consuming medications intended
for the older adult, the focus of this question is the safety of the older adult.
, An older adult client tells the nurse "I do not understand how I could have a
sexually transmitted disease! My partner seems like such a nice, clean person."
Which explanation should the nurse provide?
a. Most people in your age are not interested in sexual relationships.
b. You should have discussed this with your family before you started dating.
c. Maybe you should go back to just holding hands and hugging on dates.
d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of your life. -
correct answer-d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of
your life.
Sexually transmitted diseases are possible at any age. It is inappropriate, untrue,
and ageist to comment that older adults are not interested in sexual relations. It is
very judgmental for the nurse to suggest the older adult should have sought their
family's input or that the older adult should stop having sexual relations.
When observing an older client with dementia for symptoms of Sundowning
syndrome, it is most important that the practical nurse (PN) assesses for which
finding?
a. Observe for agitation at the end of the day.
b. Perform a neurological and mental status examination.
c. Monitor for medication side effects.
d. Assess for decreased gross motor movement. - correct answer-a. Observe for
agitation at the end of the day.
Sundowning syndrome is a pattern of agitated behavior in the evening, believed
to be associated with tiredness at the end of the day combined with fewer
orienting stimuli, such as activities and interactions.
Key Concepts, Questions & Detailed
Rationales
A male client is seen in the clinic for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Which
intervention is essential for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the client's visit?
a. Reeducate the client about limiting fluid intake.
b. Reassure the client that his BPH is a non-life-threatening condition.
c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream.
d. Inform the client that there may be a genetic predisposition for male family
members. - correct answer-c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or
split urinary stream.
These symptoms may indicate progression of BPH to partial obstruction of the
urethra, a medical emergency, and need to be reported to the health care
provider. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited; hydration needs to be
maintained.
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.
An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to medication use. When
reviewing the client's medical records, the nurse is most likely to find which factor
is correlated with this problem?
a. The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication.
b. The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased.
c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year.
d. The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years. - correct answer-c. The
client's liver function has decreased since last year.
With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and
detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not cause drug
toxicity; excessive doses could cause toxicity. Elevated white blood cell counts and
weight gain would not likely cause drug toxicity.
The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for signs of
breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What interventions by the PN will
help maintain healthy skin integrity?
,a. Keep the client well hydrated.
b. Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin.
c. Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry.
d. Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement. - correct
answer-a. Keep the client well hydrated.
Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and infection.
The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for antihypertensive
medication with an older adult. Which statement by the client best indicates
learning has been effective?
a. "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication."
b. "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children."
c. "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some food."
d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down." - correct
answer-d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down."
Older adults are particularly likely to develop orthostatic hypotension after taking
medications to treat hypertension. It is not necessary for the older adult to stay in
bed while taking this medication. Some medications should be taken with food,
others on an empty stomach. Each medication should be individually researched.
While it is important to prevent children from consuming medications intended
for the older adult, the focus of this question is the safety of the older adult.
, An older adult client tells the nurse "I do not understand how I could have a
sexually transmitted disease! My partner seems like such a nice, clean person."
Which explanation should the nurse provide?
a. Most people in your age are not interested in sexual relationships.
b. You should have discussed this with your family before you started dating.
c. Maybe you should go back to just holding hands and hugging on dates.
d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of your life. -
correct answer-d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of
your life.
Sexually transmitted diseases are possible at any age. It is inappropriate, untrue,
and ageist to comment that older adults are not interested in sexual relations. It is
very judgmental for the nurse to suggest the older adult should have sought their
family's input or that the older adult should stop having sexual relations.
When observing an older client with dementia for symptoms of Sundowning
syndrome, it is most important that the practical nurse (PN) assesses for which
finding?
a. Observe for agitation at the end of the day.
b. Perform a neurological and mental status examination.
c. Monitor for medication side effects.
d. Assess for decreased gross motor movement. - correct answer-a. Observe for
agitation at the end of the day.
Sundowning syndrome is a pattern of agitated behavior in the evening, believed
to be associated with tiredness at the end of the day combined with fewer
orienting stimuli, such as activities and interactions.
