GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
A frail, elderly client is admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding is most
important for the registered nurse (RN) to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and dehydration
C. Crackles in the lung fields
D. Nausea and vomiting
B. Confusion and dehydration
Rationale: Confusion and dehydration (B) are findings of inadequate oxygenation and perfusion in
this frail elderly client. (are all common with pneumonia, but the most important finding is
confusion and evidence of dehydration, which require treatment for this frail elderly client.
A frail elderly couple asks the registered nurse (RN) if they have to watch their salt intake because
food does not taste as good as it used to so they have to season most foods. What information should
the RN offer the couple?
D. Taste buds are often dull due to atrophy so older clients should use other seasonings instead of salt.
Rationale: Taste buds atrophy with normal aging, which influences an older client's sensitivity to taste
and is often compensated for the use of stronger tasting seasonings. (
After taking a 10-day course of an antibiotic that was ineffective, a frail, elderly client with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for pneumonia. The client has a long history of
smoking and still smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Which finding should the registered nurse (RN)
report to the healthcare provider?
B. Crackles and pulse oximetry level of 88%
Rationale: With pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation, can impact adequate
oxygenation, which should be reported to the Health Care Provider.
,GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explains to the
registered nurse (RN) that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented and
depressed. The client asks the RN repeatedly, "Where am I?". How should the RN respond?
A. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
Rationale: Reality re-orientation (A) is the best response for a client who is confused because the
response is consistent and true.
A new resident in an assisted living facility is an older client who is experiencing short-term memory
loss and confusion. Which activity should the registered nurse (RN) schedule the client to do during
the day?
D. Daily exercise group
Rationale: A daily exercise group (D) allows the client to mirror the leader and minimizes the client's
stress to remember.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client with end stage
Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique should the registered nurse (RN)
use to determine the client's pain?
C. Observe for facial grimacing
Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing (C) is the best method for evaluating pain for a client who
cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease.
, GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
An older male client arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. While the nurse assesses
the client, the client states that he is having intimacy problems with his wife. Which information
should the nurse provide to elicit more information from the client?
A. Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem.
Rationale: Clarification of the client's concern is needed to appropriately address the specific concern
about intimacy issues (A).
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an older female client with a 20 year history of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), who is admitted for carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should
the RN document?
B. Small joint involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid arthritis.
The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions with the family of an older client
who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the family
understands the instructions?
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction and should be addressed
immediately.
An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement of a pacemaker. What action should
the registered nurse (RN) take first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
A frail, elderly client is admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding is most
important for the registered nurse (RN) to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and dehydration
C. Crackles in the lung fields
D. Nausea and vomiting
B. Confusion and dehydration
Rationale: Confusion and dehydration (B) are findings of inadequate oxygenation and perfusion in
this frail elderly client. (are all common with pneumonia, but the most important finding is
confusion and evidence of dehydration, which require treatment for this frail elderly client.
A frail elderly couple asks the registered nurse (RN) if they have to watch their salt intake because
food does not taste as good as it used to so they have to season most foods. What information should
the RN offer the couple?
D. Taste buds are often dull due to atrophy so older clients should use other seasonings instead of salt.
Rationale: Taste buds atrophy with normal aging, which influences an older client's sensitivity to taste
and is often compensated for the use of stronger tasting seasonings. (
After taking a 10-day course of an antibiotic that was ineffective, a frail, elderly client with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for pneumonia. The client has a long history of
smoking and still smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Which finding should the registered nurse (RN)
report to the healthcare provider?
B. Crackles and pulse oximetry level of 88%
Rationale: With pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation, can impact adequate
oxygenation, which should be reported to the Health Care Provider.
,GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explains to the
registered nurse (RN) that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented and
depressed. The client asks the RN repeatedly, "Where am I?". How should the RN respond?
A. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
Rationale: Reality re-orientation (A) is the best response for a client who is confused because the
response is consistent and true.
A new resident in an assisted living facility is an older client who is experiencing short-term memory
loss and confusion. Which activity should the registered nurse (RN) schedule the client to do during
the day?
D. Daily exercise group
Rationale: A daily exercise group (D) allows the client to mirror the leader and minimizes the client's
stress to remember.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client with end stage
Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique should the registered nurse (RN)
use to determine the client's pain?
C. Observe for facial grimacing
Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing (C) is the best method for evaluating pain for a client who
cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease.
, GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
(FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED QUESTIONS)
An older male client arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. While the nurse assesses
the client, the client states that he is having intimacy problems with his wife. Which information
should the nurse provide to elicit more information from the client?
A. Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem.
Rationale: Clarification of the client's concern is needed to appropriately address the specific concern
about intimacy issues (A).
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for an older female client with a 20 year history of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), who is admitted for carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should
the RN document?
B. Small joint involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid arthritis.
The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions with the family of an older client
who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the family
understands the instructions?
C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction and should be addressed
immediately.
An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement of a pacemaker. What action should
the registered nurse (RN) take first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
