Gerontology HESI Practice Exam
Questions (2025) Complete Exam
Questions and Answers | already graded
A+
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 -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER 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.
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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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.
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? -CORRECTANSWER 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).
Questions (2025) Complete Exam
Questions and Answers | already graded
A+
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 -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER 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.
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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER 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.
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? -CORRECTANSWER 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).
