HESI GERIATRICS EXAM TEST BANK 300 QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026
Question 1
An 80-year-old client reports difficulty sleeping, feeling sad most of the time,
and a loss of interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. The client's family
attributes these symptoms to "just getting old." What is the most important
nursing action?
A) Document the family's observations as normal aging.
B) Encourage the client to find new hobbies.
C) Assess the client for signs of depression, as these are not normal aging
changes.
D) Recommend over-the-counter sleep aids.
E) Advise the family that mood changes are inevitable with age.
Correct Answer: C) Assess the client for signs of depression, as these are not
normal aging changes.
Rationale: Symptoms such as persistent sadness, anhedonia (loss of
interest), and sleep disturbances are classic indicators of depression, which
is not a normal part of aging. Depression is common in older adults but is
treatable, making assessment crucial.[1][5]
Question 2
A nurse is teaching an older adult client about managing their newly
diagnosed hypertension. Which statement by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I will limit my fluid intake to control my blood pressure."
,C) "I need to check my blood pressure regularly and take my medication as
prescribed."
D) "Eating a lot of salty foods is fine as long as I take my pills."
E) "Hypertension is just a normal part of getting older and doesn't need
much attention."
Correct Answer: C) "I need to check my blood pressure regularly and take my
medication as prescribed."
Rationale: Effective management of hypertension in older adults involves
consistent medication adherence and regular monitoring of blood pressure.
Stopping medication prematurely, limiting fluid unnecessarily, or consuming
high-sodium foods are incorrect and potentially harmful practices.
Hypertension requires ongoing management, not dismissal as "normal
aging."
Question 3
Which physiological change associated with aging primarily increases an
older adult's risk for falls?
A) Increased bone density
B) Enhanced visual acuity
C) Decreased muscle strength and balance
D) Improved reflexes
E) Faster reaction time
Correct Answer: C) Decreased muscle strength and balance
Rationale: Age-related declines in muscle strength, flexibility, and balance
,significantly impair an older adult's stability and increase their risk of falling.
The other options are either not typical age-related changes or would
decrease, not increase, fall risk.[5][6][10]
Question 4
A nurse is caring for an 85-year-old client who has a urinary tract infection
(UTI). The client's family reports the client has been increasingly confused
and withdrawn, with no fever. What should the nurse recognize about this
presentation?
A) These symptoms are unusual for a UTI in older adults.
B) The absence of fever rules out a serious infection.
C) Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of infection, such as
confusion.
D) The client is likely developing dementia unrelated to the UTI.
E) The confusion is a normal sign of aging in this client.
Correct Answer: C) Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of
infection, such as confusion.
Rationale: In older adults, infections like UTIs, pneumonia, or sepsis often
present atypically, meaning classic signs like fever may be absent. Instead,
acute confusion, altered mental status, and general weakness are common
indicators.[8]
Question 5
When assessing an older adult client, the nurse observes multiple
medications prescribed by different specialists. This situation puts the client
, at high risk for which common geriatric concern?
A) Enhanced therapeutic effects
B) Polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions
C) Improved adherence to medication regimens
D) Reduced need for medication reconciliation
E) Decreased potential for drug-drug interactions
Correct Answer: B) Polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions
Rationale: Taking multiple medications prescribed by different providers
(polypharmacy) significantly increases the risk of adverse drug reactions,
drug-drug interactions, and medication non-adherence in older adults due to
altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with aging.[1][2][5][6]
Question 6
A nurse is providing education to the family of a client with early-stage
Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following statements by the family
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We should encourage her to participate in familiar activities as much as
possible."
B) "We need to provide a structured and consistent daily routine."
C) "We expect her memory to improve with the right medications."
D) "We will ensure her environment is safe and free from clutter."
E) "We understand that her cognitive decline will progressively worsen."
Correct Answer: C) "We expect her memory to improve with the right
medications."
CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED 2025/2026
Question 1
An 80-year-old client reports difficulty sleeping, feeling sad most of the time,
and a loss of interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. The client's family
attributes these symptoms to "just getting old." What is the most important
nursing action?
A) Document the family's observations as normal aging.
B) Encourage the client to find new hobbies.
C) Assess the client for signs of depression, as these are not normal aging
changes.
D) Recommend over-the-counter sleep aids.
E) Advise the family that mood changes are inevitable with age.
Correct Answer: C) Assess the client for signs of depression, as these are not
normal aging changes.
Rationale: Symptoms such as persistent sadness, anhedonia (loss of
interest), and sleep disturbances are classic indicators of depression, which
is not a normal part of aging. Depression is common in older adults but is
treatable, making assessment crucial.[1][5]
Question 2
A nurse is teaching an older adult client about managing their newly
diagnosed hypertension. Which statement by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I will limit my fluid intake to control my blood pressure."
,C) "I need to check my blood pressure regularly and take my medication as
prescribed."
D) "Eating a lot of salty foods is fine as long as I take my pills."
E) "Hypertension is just a normal part of getting older and doesn't need
much attention."
Correct Answer: C) "I need to check my blood pressure regularly and take my
medication as prescribed."
Rationale: Effective management of hypertension in older adults involves
consistent medication adherence and regular monitoring of blood pressure.
Stopping medication prematurely, limiting fluid unnecessarily, or consuming
high-sodium foods are incorrect and potentially harmful practices.
Hypertension requires ongoing management, not dismissal as "normal
aging."
Question 3
Which physiological change associated with aging primarily increases an
older adult's risk for falls?
A) Increased bone density
B) Enhanced visual acuity
C) Decreased muscle strength and balance
D) Improved reflexes
E) Faster reaction time
Correct Answer: C) Decreased muscle strength and balance
Rationale: Age-related declines in muscle strength, flexibility, and balance
,significantly impair an older adult's stability and increase their risk of falling.
The other options are either not typical age-related changes or would
decrease, not increase, fall risk.[5][6][10]
Question 4
A nurse is caring for an 85-year-old client who has a urinary tract infection
(UTI). The client's family reports the client has been increasingly confused
and withdrawn, with no fever. What should the nurse recognize about this
presentation?
A) These symptoms are unusual for a UTI in older adults.
B) The absence of fever rules out a serious infection.
C) Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of infection, such as
confusion.
D) The client is likely developing dementia unrelated to the UTI.
E) The confusion is a normal sign of aging in this client.
Correct Answer: C) Older adults often present with atypical symptoms of
infection, such as confusion.
Rationale: In older adults, infections like UTIs, pneumonia, or sepsis often
present atypically, meaning classic signs like fever may be absent. Instead,
acute confusion, altered mental status, and general weakness are common
indicators.[8]
Question 5
When assessing an older adult client, the nurse observes multiple
medications prescribed by different specialists. This situation puts the client
, at high risk for which common geriatric concern?
A) Enhanced therapeutic effects
B) Polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions
C) Improved adherence to medication regimens
D) Reduced need for medication reconciliation
E) Decreased potential for drug-drug interactions
Correct Answer: B) Polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions
Rationale: Taking multiple medications prescribed by different providers
(polypharmacy) significantly increases the risk of adverse drug reactions,
drug-drug interactions, and medication non-adherence in older adults due to
altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with aging.[1][2][5][6]
Question 6
A nurse is providing education to the family of a client with early-stage
Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following statements by the family
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "We should encourage her to participate in familiar activities as much as
possible."
B) "We need to provide a structured and consistent daily routine."
C) "We expect her memory to improve with the right medications."
D) "We will ensure her environment is safe and free from clutter."
E) "We understand that her cognitive decline will progressively worsen."
Correct Answer: C) "We expect her memory to improve with the right
medications."
