Hesi PN Gerontology 2025 EXAM VERIFIED ANSWERS MULTIPLE CHOICES WITH RATIONALES

A male client is seen in the clinic for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Which intervention is essential for the practical nurse (PN) to include in the client's visit? a. Reeducate the client about limiting fluid intake. b. Reassure the client that his BPH is a non-life-threatening condition. c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream. d. Inform the client that there may be a genetic predisposition for male family members. - Correct Ans-c. Assess the client for urinary hesitancy and weak or split urinary stream. These symptoms may indicate progression of BPH to partial obstruction of the urethra, a medical emergency, and need to be reported to the health care provider. Fluids should be encouraged, not limited; hydration needs to be maintained. The oral temperature of a client with a urinary tract infection is 103° F. Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement first? a. Instruct the client on proper hygienic practices. b. Observe the color or odor of urine. c. Recheck the temperature rectally. d. Encourage fluid intake. - Correct Ans-d. Encourage fluid intake. Fluids help to reduce fever as quickly and it is important to lower the temperature as soon as possible. An older adult client is being treated for toxicity related to medication use. When reviewing the client's medical records, the nurse is most likely to find which factor is correlated with this problem? a. The client has forgotten to take several doses of medication. b. The client's white blood cell count has steadily increased. c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year. d. The client has gained 40 pounds (18.2 kg) over 3 years. - Correct Ans-c. The client's liver function has decreased since last year. With aging, liver function decreases, affecting drug metabolism and detoxification. Forgetting to take doses of medication would not cause drug toxicity; excessive doses HESI PN HESI PN could cause toxicity. Elevated white blood cell counts and weight gain would not likely cause drug toxicity. The practical nurse (PN) assesses the older adult client's skin for signs of breakdown and observes that the skin is intact. What interventions by the PN will help maintain healthy skin integrity? a. Keep the client well hydrated. b. Remove adhesive tape quickly from the skin. c. Avoid creams or lotions to ensure that the skin stays dry. d. Scrub the perineum with a wet cloth after a bowel movement. - Correct Ans-a. Keep the client well hydrated. Keeping the client well hydrated helps prevent skin cracking and infection. The nurse has reinforced education regarding safety aspects for antihypertensive medication with an older adult. Which statement by the client best indicates learning has been effective? a. "I should rest in bed most of the day when I take this medication." b. "I will be sure to keep this medication out of the reach of children." c. "I will need to make sure that I take this medication with some food." d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down." - Correct Ans-d. "I will make sure that I stand up slowly if I have been sitting down." Older adults are particularly likely to develop orthostatic hypotension after taking medications to treat hypertension. It is not necessary for the older adult to stay in bed while taking this medication. Some medications should be taken with food, others on an empty stomach. Each medication should be individually researched. While it is important to prevent children from consuming medications intended for the older adult, the focus of this question is the safety of the older adult. An older adult client tells the nurse "I do not understand how I could have a sexually transmitted disease! My partner seems like such a nice, clean person." Which explanation should the nurse provide? a. Most people in your age are not interested in sexual relationships. b. You should have discussed this with your family before you started dating. c. Maybe you should go back to just holding hands and hugging on dates. d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of your life. - Correct Ans-d. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible to have at any age of your life. Sexually transmitted diseases are possible at any age. It is inappropriate, untrue, and ageist to comment that older adults are not interested in sexual relations. It is very judgmental for the nurse to suggest the older adult should have sought their family's input or that the older adult should stop having sexual relations. HESI PN HESI PN 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 Ans-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 Ans-a. Frequently neglects to shower and shave. 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 Ans-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 HESI PN HESI PN d. Partial obstruction of the urethra - Correct Ans-b. Normal aging changes 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 Ans-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 Ans-c. Tachycardia 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." HESI PN HESI PN d. "My stools are sticky and are dark black." - Correct Ans-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." c. "Stopping smoking can also improve my heart's functioning." d. "Stopping smoking is likely impossible for people my age." - Correct Ans-c. "Stopping smoking can also improve my heart's functioning." Stopping smoking can improve cardiovascular functioning. Smoking cessation will not reverse damage already done by emphysema. Stopping smoking is possible at any age and will be of benefit. The practical nurse (PN) educates the client diagnosed with Parkinson about levodopa carbidopa. Which instruction about this medication should the PN include in the client's discharge teaching plan? a. Notify the health care provider immediately if the urine turns bright orange. b. Notify health care provider if tremors worsen. c. Take levodopa-carbidopa with a high-protein meal. d. Client may discontinue medication if side effects occur. - Correct Ans-b. Notify health care provider if tremors worsen. The client should call the health care provider if tremors become worse because the dose may need to be adjusted. A bright orange color to the urine is harmless. A client who resides in a long-term care facility has