HESI – Gerontology Study Guide Questions
With Correct Answers
Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly?☑️Correct Ans-It increase the
opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These problems could become more
serious d/t decreased circulation
Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is
essential:☑️Correct Ans-Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas
What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers?☑️Correct Ans-
Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation, and lack of physical
activity
What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls?☑️Correct Ans-Install
adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any residents cats; cats
move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that supports the foot and contributes
to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials
Aging and systolic and diastolic blood pressures: increase or decrease with age?
Physiology of blood pressure☑️Correct Ans-Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but systolic
increase more than the DBP.
Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the level of the
BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage when the chambers of the
heart are filling with blood.
Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-Older adults cannot
tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient ischemia attacks. Pulse
may be rapid, slow, or irregular.
Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms?☑️Correct
Ans-Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may be confused with
GI symptoms
, With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs?☑️Correct Ans-The muscles
that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is reduced. Vital capacity- the
amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases. Breathing may become more difficult
after strenuous exercise. The rate of decline has been found to be slower in more active people.
The nurse should encourage older people to remain physically active for as long as possible.
What makes older adults more susceptible to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and
pneumonia?☑️Correct Ans-Declining muscle strength may impair cough efficiency.
What is a major cause of respiratory disability in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-COPD
What is a major cause of death in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-Aspiration pneumonia
What changes contribute to chronic constipation with age?☑️Correct Ans-The number of
enzymes in the small intestine is reduced, and simple sugars are absorbed more slowly, resulting
in decreases efficiency of the digestive process.
The smooth muscle content and the muscle tone of the wall of the colon decrease. Anatomic
changes in the large intestine result in decreased intestinal motility.
Physiologic factors, as well as abuse of over the counter laxatives, are factors
Decreases in fluid intake and mobility contribute to constipation
Is tooth loss a normal part of the aging process?☑️Correct Ans-No.
What can prevent tooth loss?☑️Correct Ans-Good dental hygiene, good nutrition, and dental
care
Why do older people tend to feel full before the entire meal is consumed and thus appear to eat
smaller quantities of food at mealtime?☑️Correct Ans-This is because the digestive system of
older people feature a decrease in the contraction time of the muscles, and more time is needed
for the cardiac sphincter to open. Therefore, it takes more time for the food to be transmitted to
the stomach.
With Correct Answers
Why is regular assessment of the feet important in the elderly?☑️Correct Ans-It increase the
opportunity to discoed and treat skin care problems early. These problems could become more
serious d/t decreased circulation
Differentiation of normal and pathologic causes for skin and hair conditions is
essential:☑️Correct Ans-Ie seborrheic keratosis vs melanomas
What places an older adult at risk for the development of pressure ulcers?☑️Correct Ans-
Impaired mobility, impaired skin integrity, decreased peripheral circulation, and lack of physical
activity
What are ways to help prevent or decrease the occurrence of falls?☑️Correct Ans-Install
adequate lighting, paint the edges of stairs a bright color, place a bell on any residents cats; cats
move quickly and can get underfoot, wear proper footwear that supports the foot and contributes
to balance, shoes made of non slippery materials
Aging and systolic and diastolic blood pressures: increase or decrease with age?
Physiology of blood pressure☑️Correct Ans-Both SBP and DBP increase with age, but systolic
increase more than the DBP.
Physiology of BP: expressed as a ratio of systolic to diastolic. Systolic refers to the level of the
BP during the contraction phase; whereas diastolic refers to the stage when the chambers of the
heart are filling with blood.
Why are dysrhythmias particularly serious in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-Older adults cannot
tolerate decreased C.O., which can result in syncope, falls, and transient ischemia attacks. Pulse
may be rapid, slow, or irregular.
Angina symptoms in older adults may be confused with what kind of symptoms?☑️Correct
Ans-Gastrointestinal symptoms. Angina symptoms may be absent or they may be confused with
GI symptoms
, With aging, what happens to the muscles that operate the lungs?☑️Correct Ans-The muscles
that operate the lungs lose elasticity so that respiratory efficiency is reduced. Vital capacity- the
amount of air brought into lungs at one time, decreases. Breathing may become more difficult
after strenuous exercise. The rate of decline has been found to be slower in more active people.
The nurse should encourage older people to remain physically active for as long as possible.
What makes older adults more susceptible to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and
pneumonia?☑️Correct Ans-Declining muscle strength may impair cough efficiency.
What is a major cause of respiratory disability in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-COPD
What is a major cause of death in older adults?☑️Correct Ans-Aspiration pneumonia
What changes contribute to chronic constipation with age?☑️Correct Ans-The number of
enzymes in the small intestine is reduced, and simple sugars are absorbed more slowly, resulting
in decreases efficiency of the digestive process.
The smooth muscle content and the muscle tone of the wall of the colon decrease. Anatomic
changes in the large intestine result in decreased intestinal motility.
Physiologic factors, as well as abuse of over the counter laxatives, are factors
Decreases in fluid intake and mobility contribute to constipation
Is tooth loss a normal part of the aging process?☑️Correct Ans-No.
What can prevent tooth loss?☑️Correct Ans-Good dental hygiene, good nutrition, and dental
care
Why do older people tend to feel full before the entire meal is consumed and thus appear to eat
smaller quantities of food at mealtime?☑️Correct Ans-This is because the digestive system of
older people feature a decrease in the contraction time of the muscles, and more time is needed
for the cardiac sphincter to open. Therefore, it takes more time for the food to be transmitted to
the stomach.
