GERONTOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS HESI QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explained to the
nurse that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented, and depressed. The
client asks the nurse repeatedly, "Where am I?" How should the nurse respond?
1. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
2. Question the client about her preception of where she might be now.
3. Distract the client with a scenario that she is on an outing with her family.
4. Reassure the client not to worry because she will meet new friends. - ANS ans: 1
Rationale
Reality reorientation is the best response for a client who is confused because the response is
consistent and true.
When assessing an older client, which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should
the nurse document? (Select all that apply.)
1. Dyspnea.
2. Chest pain.
3. Cardiac murmurs.
4. Widening pulse pressure.
5. Irregular heart rate. - ANS ans: 3,4
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Rationale
Expected age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include murmurs and widening pulse
pressure.
The nurse is caring for an older female client with a 20-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
who is admitted for carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should the nurse
document?
1. Asymmetrical joint deformity.
2. Small joint involvement in fingers.
3. Crepitation or grating sensation in joints.
4. Weight-bearing joint involvement. - ANS ans: 2
Rationale
Small joint involvement is commonly seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
An older client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has an arteriovenous fistula (AV) in the left
forearm for hemodialysis. After palpating the AV fistula, which finding is an indication that the
AV fistula is functioning properly?
1. Enlarged veins.
2. Redness around the site.
3. Decreased pulses below fistula.
4. Marked ecchymotic areas. - ANS ans: 1
Rationale
The mixing of arterial and venous blood in an AV fistula causes the veins to enlarge and that
facilitates cannulation for hemodialysis.
An older resident is newly admitted to an assisted living community. Which actions should the
nurse implement to provide the resident with ways to maintain safe medication administration?
(Select all that apply.)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS HESI QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS. VERIFIED 2026.
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explained to the
nurse that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented, and depressed. The
client asks the nurse repeatedly, "Where am I?" How should the nurse respond?
1. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
2. Question the client about her preception of where she might be now.
3. Distract the client with a scenario that she is on an outing with her family.
4. Reassure the client not to worry because she will meet new friends. - ANS ans: 1
Rationale
Reality reorientation is the best response for a client who is confused because the response is
consistent and true.
When assessing an older client, which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should
the nurse document? (Select all that apply.)
1. Dyspnea.
2. Chest pain.
3. Cardiac murmurs.
4. Widening pulse pressure.
5. Irregular heart rate. - ANS ans: 3,4
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Rationale
Expected age-related changes in the cardiovascular system include murmurs and widening pulse
pressure.
The nurse is caring for an older female client with a 20-year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
who is admitted for carpel tunnel release. Which finding associated with RA should the nurse
document?
1. Asymmetrical joint deformity.
2. Small joint involvement in fingers.
3. Crepitation or grating sensation in joints.
4. Weight-bearing joint involvement. - ANS ans: 2
Rationale
Small joint involvement is commonly seen in rheumatoid arthritis.
An older client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has an arteriovenous fistula (AV) in the left
forearm for hemodialysis. After palpating the AV fistula, which finding is an indication that the
AV fistula is functioning properly?
1. Enlarged veins.
2. Redness around the site.
3. Decreased pulses below fistula.
4. Marked ecchymotic areas. - ANS ans: 1
Rationale
The mixing of arterial and venous blood in an AV fistula causes the veins to enlarge and that
facilitates cannulation for hemodialysis.
An older resident is newly admitted to an assisted living community. Which actions should the
nurse implement to provide the resident with ways to maintain safe medication administration?
(Select all that apply.)
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
