1|Pa ge
HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM|| ACCURATE AND
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|| LATEST
2025/2026
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.
The practical nurse (PN) working at an assisted living facility is visiting with a
client whose spouse died 8 months ago. Which behavior by the client suggests
ineffective coping with the spouse's death?
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
b. Insists on visiting the gravesite once a month.
c. Joins an exercise class at the assisted living facility.
d. Keeps their photo albums out and looks through them frequently. - CORRECT
ANSWER:
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
,2|Pa ge
Ineffective coping is manifested by behaviors that may be physically or
psychologically harmful to the individual. Neglecting personal hygiene is an
example of ineffective coping.
When initially monitoring a client after a fall, which information should the
practical nurse (PN) communicate immediately to the health care provider? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Change in the level of consciousness
b. Increasing muscular weakness
c. Changes in pupil size bilaterally
d. Progressive nuchal rigidity
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting - CORRECT ANSWER: a. Change
in the level of consciousness
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting
A decrease or change in the level of consciousness is usually the first indication of
neurological deterioration. Nausea and vomiting may also be present.
An older adult client is seen in the clinic for problems with urinary frequency,
urgency, and nocturia. The symptoms are an example of which condition?
a. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
b. Normal aging changes
c. Side effect of the diuretic furosemide
d. Partial obstruction of the urethra - CORRECT ANSWER: b. Normal aging
changes
,3|Pa ge
Normal aging changes in the bladder are decreased capacity, increased irritability,
and incomplete emptying; these changes lead to frequency, nocturia, urgency, and
vulnerability to infection. The majority of UTIs in the older adult are
asymptomatic. Classic signs of UTIs are fever, dysuria, and flank pain.
An older adult client is recovering from a hip fracture. The health care provider has
prescribed home health care nursing upon discharge. Which statement describes
the primary goal for the client?
a. Return the client to his or her previous lifestyle.
b. Avoid dependency on medication therapy.
c. Establish self-care and independence.
d. Maintain a friendly relationship with family members. - CORRECT
ANSWER: c. Establish self-care and independence.
Loss of independence is a significant issue with the aging population and is one of
the most important issues for the home health practical nurse (PN) to establish with
the client. Establishing the client's individual goals is the primary concern of the
home health care PN.
An older client at a long-term care facility is to be monitored for early signs of
pneumonia. The practical nurse's (PN) observation of the client will most likely
show which early sign(s)/symptom(s)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fever
b. Abnormal breath sounds
c. Tachycardia
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea - CORRECT ANSWER: c. Tachycardia
, 4|Pa ge
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea
The onset of pneumonia in the older adult may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate, or increased respiratory rate. Fever
and abnormal breath sounds occur later with the older adult.
The nurse is assisting with data collection for an older adult who is taking daily
aspirin to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. Which concern should the
nurse report to the health care provider as soon as possible?
a. "I feel really cold much of the time."
b. "I wish my children would visit more."
c. "Lately it's harder to drive a car at night."
d. "My stools are sticky and are dark black." - CORRECT ANSWER: d. "My
stools are sticky and are dark black."
Dark tarry stools are an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding, an adverse effect of
the daily aspirin this client is taking. There is no immediate need to contact the
health care provider about the client feeling cold or wishing children would visit
more. This client's inability to drive at night is a concern, and should be discussed,
but gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be dealt with first.
The nurse is reinforcing education with an older adult regarding smoking
cessation. The nurse recognizes teaching has been effective if the client makes
which statement?
a. "Stopping smoking reverses damage from emphysema."
b. "Stopping smoking will not really benefit me at my age anyway."
HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM|| ACCURATE AND
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES|| LATEST
2025/2026
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.
The practical nurse (PN) working at an assisted living facility is visiting with a
client whose spouse died 8 months ago. Which behavior by the client suggests
ineffective coping with the spouse's death?
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
b. Insists on visiting the gravesite once a month.
c. Joins an exercise class at the assisted living facility.
d. Keeps their photo albums out and looks through them frequently. - CORRECT
ANSWER:
a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave.
,2|Pa ge
Ineffective coping is manifested by behaviors that may be physically or
psychologically harmful to the individual. Neglecting personal hygiene is an
example of ineffective coping.
When initially monitoring a client after a fall, which information should the
practical nurse (PN) communicate immediately to the health care provider? (Select
all that apply.)
a. Change in the level of consciousness
b. Increasing muscular weakness
c. Changes in pupil size bilaterally
d. Progressive nuchal rigidity
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting - CORRECT ANSWER: a. Change
in the level of consciousness
e. Onset of nausea and vomiting
A decrease or change in the level of consciousness is usually the first indication of
neurological deterioration. Nausea and vomiting may also be present.
An older adult client is seen in the clinic for problems with urinary frequency,
urgency, and nocturia. The symptoms are an example of which condition?
a. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
b. Normal aging changes
c. Side effect of the diuretic furosemide
d. Partial obstruction of the urethra - CORRECT ANSWER: b. Normal aging
changes
,3|Pa ge
Normal aging changes in the bladder are decreased capacity, increased irritability,
and incomplete emptying; these changes lead to frequency, nocturia, urgency, and
vulnerability to infection. The majority of UTIs in the older adult are
asymptomatic. Classic signs of UTIs are fever, dysuria, and flank pain.
An older adult client is recovering from a hip fracture. The health care provider has
prescribed home health care nursing upon discharge. Which statement describes
the primary goal for the client?
a. Return the client to his or her previous lifestyle.
b. Avoid dependency on medication therapy.
c. Establish self-care and independence.
d. Maintain a friendly relationship with family members. - CORRECT
ANSWER: c. Establish self-care and independence.
Loss of independence is a significant issue with the aging population and is one of
the most important issues for the home health practical nurse (PN) to establish with
the client. Establishing the client's individual goals is the primary concern of the
home health care PN.
An older client at a long-term care facility is to be monitored for early signs of
pneumonia. The practical nurse's (PN) observation of the client will most likely
show which early sign(s)/symptom(s)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fever
b. Abnormal breath sounds
c. Tachycardia
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea - CORRECT ANSWER: c. Tachycardia
, 4|Pa ge
d. Confusion
e. Tachypnea
The onset of pneumonia in the older adult may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate, or increased respiratory rate. Fever
and abnormal breath sounds occur later with the older adult.
The nurse is assisting with data collection for an older adult who is taking daily
aspirin to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. Which concern should the
nurse report to the health care provider as soon as possible?
a. "I feel really cold much of the time."
b. "I wish my children would visit more."
c. "Lately it's harder to drive a car at night."
d. "My stools are sticky and are dark black." - CORRECT ANSWER: d. "My
stools are sticky and are dark black."
Dark tarry stools are an indication of gastrointestinal bleeding, an adverse effect of
the daily aspirin this client is taking. There is no immediate need to contact the
health care provider about the client feeling cold or wishing children would visit
more. This client's inability to drive at night is a concern, and should be discussed,
but gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be dealt with first.
The nurse is reinforcing education with an older adult regarding smoking
cessation. The nurse recognizes teaching has been effective if the client makes
which statement?
a. "Stopping smoking reverses damage from emphysema."
b. "Stopping smoking will not really benefit me at my age anyway."
