Gerontology HESI test
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric tube is known as what?
Gavage Emesis Lavage Stomach pumping - Answer -Lavage 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. - Answer -Lean 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. Your 89-year-old patient presents with dyspepsia and
nausea. After testing, you determine she is positive for Peptic Ulcer Disease. Of the following, which
would LEAST likely be a differential diagnosis for Peptic Ulcer Disease? Cholecystitis. Migraines. Gastric
carcinoma. Cardiovascular disease. - Answer -Migraines Peptic Ulcer Disease is a gastrointestinal
disorder. Other differential diagnoses of the condition are pancreatitis and biliary tract disease. There
are a good many diseases affecting the elderly that are the result of smoking. Counseling regarding
smoking cessation is part of the GNP's job. The components of brief intervention for treating tobacco
use are: Counsel, Document, Caution, Describe, Demonstrate Advise, Confer, Describe, Document,
Prescribe Advise, Counsel, Intervene, Prescribe, Follow-up Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange -
Answer -Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange Ask about tobacco use, Advise to quit, Assess willingness
to make an attempt to quit, Assist in this quit attempt. Arrange a follow-up. Mrs. Frasier, an 50-year-
old patient, presents with a mosquito bite that she is concerned about. How do you diagnose this?
Cyst. Bulla. Wheal. Plaques. - Answer -Wheal Cyst: encapsulated, fluid-filled mass that varies in size.
Bulla: fluid-filled, elevated, circumscribed lesion that's larger than 5mm. Wheal: circumscribed,
reddening with transient elevation lesion that's 0.5 to 10mm diameter. Plaques: usually a grouping of
papules; elevated and a variety of shapes; larger than 5mm. Which of the following groups should be
tested for abdominal aortic aneurysm? males aged 65-75 who have ever smoked females aged 65-75
who have hypertension males and females over 75 females over 75 - Answer -males aged 65-75 who
have ever smoked Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is more prevalent in males than in females. The
American Heart Association recommends screening males once between ages 65-75 if they have ever
smoked since that increases the risk of AAA. With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST
likely prescribe what medication? Metronidazole. Erythromycin. Ampicillin. Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole. - Answer -Metronidazole. The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the
following: - Campylobacter jejuni: Erythromycin - Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole A 65-year-old Caucasian male calls your office. He
tells you he just came in from the woods and discovered a tick on his upper right thigh. He reports self
removal of the tick and now the area is slightly red. What should you advise him to do? He should
come to the office for a ceftriaxone (Rocephin) injection. He should be prescribed doxycycline. He
needs no treatment. He needs a topical scrub to prevent Lyme Disease. - Answer -He needs no
treatment. To develop Lyme Disease from a tick bite, many factors must be present. The tick must
belong to Ixodes species and must have been attached for at least 48 hours before the disease can
spread. There is no need for prophylactic treatment in this case because the tick has not been present
long enough. As part of the treatment plan for your elderly patient, you recommend he see an
Ophthalmologist. What body part(s) will this doctor evaluate? Brain / nerves. Eyes. Bones / Joints /
Muscles. Ears / Throat. - Answer -Eyes Neurologist - Brain / nerves Ophthalmologist - Eyes Orthopedist
- Bones / Joints / Muscles Otolaryngologist - Ears / Throat As a GNP you understand that due to
, physiological changes of aging, some laboratory test results will have age-related changes. Which of
the following values would be the least likely to be affected? red blood cell values white blood cell
counts platelet range hemoglobin values - Answer -platelet range Due to the physiological changes of
aging, red blood cell values tend to decrease, white blood cell counts tend to decrease slightly,
hemoglobin values slightly decrease, but platelet range does not vary. The family of a patient with
dementia has asked you to tell them more about this condition. You would tell them all of the following
except: Dementia is the leading reason for institutionalization of older adults. Some persons diagnosed
with dementia have reversible pseudodementia. Irreversible dementia has a gradual onset and a
progressive downward course. 50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. -
Answer -50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. This statement is not
true. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of the older adult population suffer from some form of
dementia. There are 1.2 million cases in the United States in people over the age of 65. What is true
regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Contrast venography is the most commonly used test to
diagnose this. Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical presentation
alone is problematic. Hypocoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT. Therapy for patients
with DVT is aimed at easing the pain. - Answer -Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the
diagnosis from clinical presentation alone is problematic. Choice B is the right answer. Contrast
venography has the greatest sensitivity and specificity for the condition but due to the cost and nature
of the test, ultrasound is more common as first-line diagnostic technique (choice A). A
hypercoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT (choice C). Therapy for patients with DVT
is aimed at minimizing the risk of pulmonary embolism and extension of peripheral thrombus (choice
D). It has been determined that an elderly patient is suffering from long term insomnia. Which of the
following is LESS likely to be considered a long term cause of the condition? Nocturia. Environmental
changes. Congestive heart failure. Alcohol and substance abuse. - Answer -Environmental changes.
There are various causes of insomnia in the elderly. While some may be the cause of short term
insomnia and others long term insomnia, long term insomnia is more common in the elderly than short
term. In terms of the elderly which of the following is NOT true of hypothyroidism? Symptoms are often
similar to normal aging changes making it difficult to detect in older adults. Symptoms usually have an
insidious onset. It usually occurs before age 50. There is a greater risk for developing myxedema
coma, which is life-threatening. - Answer -It usually occurs before age 50. Hypothyroidism usually
occurs after age 50. It is often diagnosed as depression. You must use caution against abruptly
discontinuing medication. When treating a patient with oral Vitamin B12, which drug interaction will
result in decreased absorption of vitamin B12? aminoglycosides colchicine potassium supplements all
of the above - Answer -all of the above In addition to the drugs listed in the first three choices, ascorbic
acid may destroy the vitamin B12 supplement within one hour of ingestion. These drugs should not be
taken concomitantly with oral vitamin B12. You are counseling a 72-year-old woman about nutrition. In
the course of counseling you tell her that older adults are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to a Vitamin D deficiency? too much exposure
to sunlight decreased exercise diminished renal function decreased body mass - Answer -too much
exposure to sunlight In actuality lack of sun exposure decreases synthesis of Vitamin D. An 88-year-old
female patient comes into the clinic with her heart "racing and feeling funny." The ECG confirms atrial
fibrillation. The GNP understands that this condition is managed by all of the following except: treating
the underlying disease electrical cardioversion heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic
therapy IV management with digoxin as first line therapy - Answer -heparin as the drug of choice with
antithrombotic therapy The antithrombotic drug of choice for atrial fibrillation is warfarin (Coumadin).
A patient you diagnosed with hypothyroidism was started on levothyroixine. At what interval should
the GNP reassess her TSH? 1 to 2 weeks 2 to 4 weeks 4 to 6 weeks 6 to 8 weeks - Answer -6 to 8
weeks In the treatment of hypothyroidism, T4 replacement is needed in the form of levothyroixine
(Synthroid or Levoxyl). The initial dosages for an adult is 75 to 125 mcg. For an elderly person, the
dose is 75% less than the adult dosage. Because of the long half-life of levothyroxine, the effects of a
The cleansing of the stomach with solution delivered through a nasogastric tube is known as what?
Gavage Emesis Lavage Stomach pumping - Answer -Lavage 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. - Answer -Lean 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. Your 89-year-old patient presents with dyspepsia and
nausea. After testing, you determine she is positive for Peptic Ulcer Disease. Of the following, which
would LEAST likely be a differential diagnosis for Peptic Ulcer Disease? Cholecystitis. Migraines. Gastric
carcinoma. Cardiovascular disease. - Answer -Migraines Peptic Ulcer Disease is a gastrointestinal
disorder. Other differential diagnoses of the condition are pancreatitis and biliary tract disease. There
are a good many diseases affecting the elderly that are the result of smoking. Counseling regarding
smoking cessation is part of the GNP's job. The components of brief intervention for treating tobacco
use are: Counsel, Document, Caution, Describe, Demonstrate Advise, Confer, Describe, Document,
Prescribe Advise, Counsel, Intervene, Prescribe, Follow-up Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange -
Answer -Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange Ask about tobacco use, Advise to quit, Assess willingness
to make an attempt to quit, Assist in this quit attempt. Arrange a follow-up. Mrs. Frasier, an 50-year-
old patient, presents with a mosquito bite that she is concerned about. How do you diagnose this?
Cyst. Bulla. Wheal. Plaques. - Answer -Wheal Cyst: encapsulated, fluid-filled mass that varies in size.
Bulla: fluid-filled, elevated, circumscribed lesion that's larger than 5mm. Wheal: circumscribed,
reddening with transient elevation lesion that's 0.5 to 10mm diameter. Plaques: usually a grouping of
papules; elevated and a variety of shapes; larger than 5mm. Which of the following groups should be
tested for abdominal aortic aneurysm? males aged 65-75 who have ever smoked females aged 65-75
who have hypertension males and females over 75 females over 75 - Answer -males aged 65-75 who
have ever smoked Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is more prevalent in males than in females. The
American Heart Association recommends screening males once between ages 65-75 if they have ever
smoked since that increases the risk of AAA. With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST
likely prescribe what medication? Metronidazole. Erythromycin. Ampicillin. Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole. - Answer -Metronidazole. The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the
following: - Campylobacter jejuni: Erythromycin - Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole A 65-year-old Caucasian male calls your office. He
tells you he just came in from the woods and discovered a tick on his upper right thigh. He reports self
removal of the tick and now the area is slightly red. What should you advise him to do? He should
come to the office for a ceftriaxone (Rocephin) injection. He should be prescribed doxycycline. He
needs no treatment. He needs a topical scrub to prevent Lyme Disease. - Answer -He needs no
treatment. To develop Lyme Disease from a tick bite, many factors must be present. The tick must
belong to Ixodes species and must have been attached for at least 48 hours before the disease can
spread. There is no need for prophylactic treatment in this case because the tick has not been present
long enough. As part of the treatment plan for your elderly patient, you recommend he see an
Ophthalmologist. What body part(s) will this doctor evaluate? Brain / nerves. Eyes. Bones / Joints /
Muscles. Ears / Throat. - Answer -Eyes Neurologist - Brain / nerves Ophthalmologist - Eyes Orthopedist
- Bones / Joints / Muscles Otolaryngologist - Ears / Throat As a GNP you understand that due to
, physiological changes of aging, some laboratory test results will have age-related changes. Which of
the following values would be the least likely to be affected? red blood cell values white blood cell
counts platelet range hemoglobin values - Answer -platelet range Due to the physiological changes of
aging, red blood cell values tend to decrease, white blood cell counts tend to decrease slightly,
hemoglobin values slightly decrease, but platelet range does not vary. The family of a patient with
dementia has asked you to tell them more about this condition. You would tell them all of the following
except: Dementia is the leading reason for institutionalization of older adults. Some persons diagnosed
with dementia have reversible pseudodementia. Irreversible dementia has a gradual onset and a
progressive downward course. 50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. -
Answer -50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. This statement is not
true. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of the older adult population suffer from some form of
dementia. There are 1.2 million cases in the United States in people over the age of 65. What is true
regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Contrast venography is the most commonly used test to
diagnose this. Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical presentation
alone is problematic. Hypocoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT. Therapy for patients
with DVT is aimed at easing the pain. - Answer -Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the
diagnosis from clinical presentation alone is problematic. Choice B is the right answer. Contrast
venography has the greatest sensitivity and specificity for the condition but due to the cost and nature
of the test, ultrasound is more common as first-line diagnostic technique (choice A). A
hypercoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT (choice C). Therapy for patients with DVT
is aimed at minimizing the risk of pulmonary embolism and extension of peripheral thrombus (choice
D). It has been determined that an elderly patient is suffering from long term insomnia. Which of the
following is LESS likely to be considered a long term cause of the condition? Nocturia. Environmental
changes. Congestive heart failure. Alcohol and substance abuse. - Answer -Environmental changes.
There are various causes of insomnia in the elderly. While some may be the cause of short term
insomnia and others long term insomnia, long term insomnia is more common in the elderly than short
term. In terms of the elderly which of the following is NOT true of hypothyroidism? Symptoms are often
similar to normal aging changes making it difficult to detect in older adults. Symptoms usually have an
insidious onset. It usually occurs before age 50. There is a greater risk for developing myxedema
coma, which is life-threatening. - Answer -It usually occurs before age 50. Hypothyroidism usually
occurs after age 50. It is often diagnosed as depression. You must use caution against abruptly
discontinuing medication. When treating a patient with oral Vitamin B12, which drug interaction will
result in decreased absorption of vitamin B12? aminoglycosides colchicine potassium supplements all
of the above - Answer -all of the above In addition to the drugs listed in the first three choices, ascorbic
acid may destroy the vitamin B12 supplement within one hour of ingestion. These drugs should not be
taken concomitantly with oral vitamin B12. You are counseling a 72-year-old woman about nutrition. In
the course of counseling you tell her that older adults are at increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributes to a Vitamin D deficiency? too much exposure
to sunlight decreased exercise diminished renal function decreased body mass - Answer -too much
exposure to sunlight In actuality lack of sun exposure decreases synthesis of Vitamin D. An 88-year-old
female patient comes into the clinic with her heart "racing and feeling funny." The ECG confirms atrial
fibrillation. The GNP understands that this condition is managed by all of the following except: treating
the underlying disease electrical cardioversion heparin as the drug of choice with antithrombotic
therapy IV management with digoxin as first line therapy - Answer -heparin as the drug of choice with
antithrombotic therapy The antithrombotic drug of choice for atrial fibrillation is warfarin (Coumadin).
A patient you diagnosed with hypothyroidism was started on levothyroixine. At what interval should
the GNP reassess her TSH? 1 to 2 weeks 2 to 4 weeks 4 to 6 weeks 6 to 8 weeks - Answer -6 to 8
weeks In the treatment of hypothyroidism, T4 replacement is needed in the form of levothyroixine
(Synthroid or Levoxyl). The initial dosages for an adult is 75 to 125 mcg. For an elderly person, the
dose is 75% less than the adult dosage. Because of the long half-life of levothyroxine, the effects of a
