GERONTOLOGY HESI TEST EXAM WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025-2026
A patient comes in the office for abdominal cramps and "really bad" diarrhea.
The enzyme immunoassay test for C. difficile is positive and you inquire about
antibiotic usage. He is on clindamycin for a tooth abscess. How should he be
managed?
give metronidazole
treat the diarrhea, give metronidazole
stop the clindamycin, treat the diarrhea
stop the clindamycin if possible, give metronidazole - CORRECT-
ANSWERSstop the clindamycin if possible, give metronidazole
The most important step in treating infection with C. difficile is stopping
ingestion of the antibiotic. Metronidazole is recommended initially for non-
severe infection. If the antibiotic cannot be stopped, treatment for C. difficile
should be continued as long as the patient must take the offending antibiotic.
You are prescribing Valsartan for your 83-year-old patient with heart failure.
What is the maximum daily dosage the patient can take of this medication?
200 mg/day.
100 mg/day.
160 mg/day.
320 mg/day. - CORRECT-ANSWERS320 mg/day.
,There are a variety of drugs prescribed to patients to help manage heart
failure. For example, the maximum daily dosage for Losartan is 100 mg/day.
The daily max. for Valsartan is 320 mg/day. The daily maximum for
Candasartan is 32 mg/day and Metoprolol, 200 mg/day.
What condition involves decline in sense of smell, usually gradual, and results
in fine taste discrimination?
presbycusis
hyposmia
hyperosmia
presbyopia - CORRECT-ANSWERShyposmia
Choice B is the right answer. The etiology of hyposmia is neural degeneration
and it is accelerated by tobacco use. A gradual decline in sense of smell is seen.
In patient's with chest pain, what determination should be made first when
confirming a differential diagnosis?
A cardiac etiology should be ruled out first.
Gastro-intestinal conditions should be worked up as soon possible.
Renal etiology should be ruled out first.
Neurological referral should be made. - CORRECT-ANSWERSA cardiac
etiology should be ruled out first.
, The first step in diagnosing chest pain is to rule out a cardiac etiology. Chest
pain can indicate many life-threatening conditions such as congestive heart
failure.
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric
tube is known as what?
Gavage
Emesis
Lavage
Stomach pumping - CORRECT-ANSWERSLavage
Gastric lavage is used to cleanse the stomach of a poison, overdose of
medication, or other toxic substance. It is delivered through a nasogastric tube
You are providing care to a patient who has recently begun dialysis. Her
daughter, with whom she lives and who prepares many of her meals, asks
what types of foods she should incorporate into her diet and which she should
avoid. Which of the following is NOT a food that this patient should be advised
to avoid?
, Avocado.
Lean red meat.
Dried fruit.
Bananas. - CORRECT-ANSWERSLean red meat
Dialysis patients are encouraged to eat lean meat, including red meat. High
quality proteins produce less waste and help the body heal and maintain
regular processes. Dialysis patients should avoid foods high in potassium,
including avocado, banana, and dried fruit, and should eat other potassium-
containing foods in moderation.
Motivation is an important factor to consider when teaching patients.
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs , which is the third need that must
be met in order to motivate the patient?
Esteem needs.
Physiological needs.
Safety needs.
Social needs. - CORRECT-ANSWERSSocial needs.
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, needs must be met in a particular
order to foster the motivation that encourages learning. In order, these needs
are: - Physiological - Safety - Social - Esteem - Self-actualization
A patient comes in the office for abdominal cramps and "really bad" diarrhea.
The enzyme immunoassay test for C. difficile is positive and you inquire about
antibiotic usage. He is on clindamycin for a tooth abscess. How should he be
managed?
give metronidazole
treat the diarrhea, give metronidazole
stop the clindamycin, treat the diarrhea
stop the clindamycin if possible, give metronidazole - CORRECT-
ANSWERSstop the clindamycin if possible, give metronidazole
The most important step in treating infection with C. difficile is stopping
ingestion of the antibiotic. Metronidazole is recommended initially for non-
severe infection. If the antibiotic cannot be stopped, treatment for C. difficile
should be continued as long as the patient must take the offending antibiotic.
You are prescribing Valsartan for your 83-year-old patient with heart failure.
What is the maximum daily dosage the patient can take of this medication?
200 mg/day.
100 mg/day.
160 mg/day.
320 mg/day. - CORRECT-ANSWERS320 mg/day.
,There are a variety of drugs prescribed to patients to help manage heart
failure. For example, the maximum daily dosage for Losartan is 100 mg/day.
The daily max. for Valsartan is 320 mg/day. The daily maximum for
Candasartan is 32 mg/day and Metoprolol, 200 mg/day.
What condition involves decline in sense of smell, usually gradual, and results
in fine taste discrimination?
presbycusis
hyposmia
hyperosmia
presbyopia - CORRECT-ANSWERShyposmia
Choice B is the right answer. The etiology of hyposmia is neural degeneration
and it is accelerated by tobacco use. A gradual decline in sense of smell is seen.
In patient's with chest pain, what determination should be made first when
confirming a differential diagnosis?
A cardiac etiology should be ruled out first.
Gastro-intestinal conditions should be worked up as soon possible.
Renal etiology should be ruled out first.
Neurological referral should be made. - CORRECT-ANSWERSA cardiac
etiology should be ruled out first.
, The first step in diagnosing chest pain is to rule out a cardiac etiology. Chest
pain can indicate many life-threatening conditions such as congestive heart
failure.
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric
tube is known as what?
Gavage
Emesis
Lavage
Stomach pumping - CORRECT-ANSWERSLavage
Gastric lavage is used to cleanse the stomach of a poison, overdose of
medication, or other toxic substance. It is delivered through a nasogastric tube
You are providing care to a patient who has recently begun dialysis. Her
daughter, with whom she lives and who prepares many of her meals, asks
what types of foods she should incorporate into her diet and which she should
avoid. Which of the following is NOT a food that this patient should be advised
to avoid?
, Avocado.
Lean red meat.
Dried fruit.
Bananas. - CORRECT-ANSWERSLean red meat
Dialysis patients are encouraged to eat lean meat, including red meat. High
quality proteins produce less waste and help the body heal and maintain
regular processes. Dialysis patients should avoid foods high in potassium,
including avocado, banana, and dried fruit, and should eat other potassium-
containing foods in moderation.
Motivation is an important factor to consider when teaching patients.
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs , which is the third need that must
be met in order to motivate the patient?
Esteem needs.
Physiological needs.
Safety needs.
Social needs. - CORRECT-ANSWERSSocial needs.
According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, needs must be met in a particular
order to foster the motivation that encourages learning. In order, these needs
are: - Physiological - Safety - Social - Esteem - Self-actualization
