HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXIT EXAM
VERSION 4 /GERONTOLOGY HESI EXIT
EXAM 2025/2026 WITH ACTUAL CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS |FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS |ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW
VERSION!!|LATEST UPDATE
When talking with a family member about prevention of falls, which recommendations should
the practical nurse (PN) include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
a. Review a history of falls.
b. Contact a medical alert company.
c. Get vision and hearing examinations.
d. Recommend that the client join a tai chi group.
e. Move the client to an assisted living community.
c. Get vision and hearing examinations.
d. Recommend that the client join a tai chi group.
Vision and hearing impairment are risk factors for falls. Correction of any impairment will help
prevent falls; tai chi has been identified as the most beneficial strength and balance exercise
program to reduce falls. A previous history of falls is predictive of further falls, so prevention
strategies could be recommended but this is not a recommendation for preventing falls.
The practical nurse (PN) teaches the client how to administer regular and NPH insulins and
requests a return demonstration from the client. Which action by the client indicates
understanding of the medication instruction?
a. The client drew up NPH and regular insulin in separate syringes.
b. The client drew up the insulin using clean technique.
1|Page
,c. The client drew up NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
When preparing a mixture of regular and NPH insulin, the regular insulin should be drawn up
first. NPH and regular insulin can be mixed. Regular insulin should be drawn up first to avoid
contamination.
The daughter of a client diagnosed with Alzheimer disease reports to the practical nurse (PN)
that her mother has recently lost her appetite and refuses to eat. The client was recently
prescribed rivastigmine tartrate. What instructions are important for the PN to provide to the
client's daughter?
a. Taking the medication before meals will help stimulate her interest in eating
b. Appetite generally increases once the medication has reached therapeutic levels
c. The prescriber should be notified if there is weight loss or an increased loss of appetite
d. Anorexia indicates toxic drug levels and requires immediate assessment by the prescriber
c. The prescriber should be notified if there is weight loss or an increased loss of appetite
Rivastigmine tartrate, used to treat the dementia of Alzheimer disease, often causes
gastrointestinal side effects, which should be reported to the prescriber before significant
malnutrition and fluid volume deficit occur.
A 90-year-old client is brought to the emergency room by a niece who visits him twice a week.
The client lives independently, has several hobbies, and interacts well with his friends and
relatives. Last night, the client suddenly became agitated, and started hallucinating. Urinalysis
and complete blood count reveal a urinary tract infection. The niece asks "Is my uncle
developing dementia?" Which answer is most appropriate to provide?
a. Unfortunately, these are early signs of dementia.
b. It is unfortunate he did not get treatment for dementia earlier.
c. Since the symptoms began so rapidly, it is not likely dementia.
d. The hallucinations he is having indicate he may have dementia.
c. Since the symptoms began so rapidly, it is not likely dementia.
2|Page
,Acute delirium, rather than dementia, is more likely because delirium is associated with an
abrupt onset and a systemic illness. In this case the client has only had symptoms since last
night and has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. Once the infection has been
treated successfully, it is likely the client will return to his usual state. Dementia is
characterized by a slower onset of symptoms. It is nontherapeutic to tell a client's family
member he should have been treated earlier.
The nurse has reinforced instructions for a low-fat diet prescribed for an older adult to prevent
cardiovascular disease. Which meal selection best indicates the adult understands the
instructions?
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
b. Grilled steak, baked beans, and a salad
c. Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and grapes
d. A green salad, with grilled chicken and ranch dressing
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
The best selection for an older adult client who will be eating a low-fat diet is broiled fish,
green beans, and an apple. The other meal items are too high in fat.
An older adult residing at the long-term care facility developed pneumonia, was subsequently
hospitalized, and died. The nurse participating on the nursing quality assurance review
committee is most likely to note that which was the most likely early symptom the resident
displayed?
a. A cough productive of thick yellow sputum
b. Confusion reported by the resident's family
c. Respiratory stridor and expiratory wheezing
d. Hyperthermia, hypoxia, and then hypercapnia
b. Confusion reported by the resident's family
Confusion is frequently an early symptom of respiratory infection in the older adult, and is
caused by hypoxia. The immune response is delayed in the older adult, and sputum and fever
are not formed as quickly. Respiratory distress, stridor, and wheezing would be very late
symptoms of this disease.
An older client who has a history of a hip fracture was admitted to the hospital for congestive
heart failure. The client is taking codeine-acetaminophen as needed for pain. Which risk factor
3|Page
, puts this client at greatest risk for a fall?
a. Age
b. Diagnosis
c. History of falls
d. Narcotic use
c. History of falls
Older clients with previous hip fractures have a higher morbidity/mortality rate and are at a
greater risk for additional falls, so the client's history of falls would be important information
to know while planning care for the client.
The practical nurse (PN) prepares to administer eye drops and eye ointment to the client with a
left eye infection. Which nursing intervention is the most effective for administering the
medications?
a. Administer the eye drops first and then the ointment.
b. Administer the ointment and immediately follow with the eye drops.
c. Administer the ointment, wait 5 minutes, and then administer the eye drops.
d. Administer the eye drops, wait 15 minutes, and then administer the ointment.
a. Administer the eye drops first and then the ointment.
When eye drops and eye ointment are scheduled for the same time, the eye drops should be
administered first, followed by the ointment 3 to 5 minutes later.
An older adult client has been diagnosed with third-degree heart block and the health care
provider recommends a pacemaker be implanted tomorrow. Prior to the surgery, the nurse
expects the client's plan of care to emphasize which aspect?
a. Instruction to avoid microwaves
b. Preparing for blood transfusion
c. Administration of anticoagulants
d. Preventing injury related to falling
d. Preventing injury related to falling
A client with a dysrhythmia is at risk for fall injury due to syncope caused by a reduction in
cardiac output. The client's plan of care should emphasize ways to keep the client safe, such
4|Page
VERSION 4 /GERONTOLOGY HESI EXIT
EXAM 2025/2026 WITH ACTUAL CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED DETAILED
ANSWERS |FREQUENTLY TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS |ALREADY
GRADED A+|NEWEST|BRAND NEW
VERSION!!|LATEST UPDATE
When talking with a family member about prevention of falls, which recommendations should
the practical nurse (PN) include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
a. Review a history of falls.
b. Contact a medical alert company.
c. Get vision and hearing examinations.
d. Recommend that the client join a tai chi group.
e. Move the client to an assisted living community.
c. Get vision and hearing examinations.
d. Recommend that the client join a tai chi group.
Vision and hearing impairment are risk factors for falls. Correction of any impairment will help
prevent falls; tai chi has been identified as the most beneficial strength and balance exercise
program to reduce falls. A previous history of falls is predictive of further falls, so prevention
strategies could be recommended but this is not a recommendation for preventing falls.
The practical nurse (PN) teaches the client how to administer regular and NPH insulins and
requests a return demonstration from the client. Which action by the client indicates
understanding of the medication instruction?
a. The client drew up NPH and regular insulin in separate syringes.
b. The client drew up the insulin using clean technique.
1|Page
,c. The client drew up NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
d. When drawing up insulin in the same syringe, the client drew up the regular insulin first then
the NPH insulin.
When preparing a mixture of regular and NPH insulin, the regular insulin should be drawn up
first. NPH and regular insulin can be mixed. Regular insulin should be drawn up first to avoid
contamination.
The daughter of a client diagnosed with Alzheimer disease reports to the practical nurse (PN)
that her mother has recently lost her appetite and refuses to eat. The client was recently
prescribed rivastigmine tartrate. What instructions are important for the PN to provide to the
client's daughter?
a. Taking the medication before meals will help stimulate her interest in eating
b. Appetite generally increases once the medication has reached therapeutic levels
c. The prescriber should be notified if there is weight loss or an increased loss of appetite
d. Anorexia indicates toxic drug levels and requires immediate assessment by the prescriber
c. The prescriber should be notified if there is weight loss or an increased loss of appetite
Rivastigmine tartrate, used to treat the dementia of Alzheimer disease, often causes
gastrointestinal side effects, which should be reported to the prescriber before significant
malnutrition and fluid volume deficit occur.
A 90-year-old client is brought to the emergency room by a niece who visits him twice a week.
The client lives independently, has several hobbies, and interacts well with his friends and
relatives. Last night, the client suddenly became agitated, and started hallucinating. Urinalysis
and complete blood count reveal a urinary tract infection. The niece asks "Is my uncle
developing dementia?" Which answer is most appropriate to provide?
a. Unfortunately, these are early signs of dementia.
b. It is unfortunate he did not get treatment for dementia earlier.
c. Since the symptoms began so rapidly, it is not likely dementia.
d. The hallucinations he is having indicate he may have dementia.
c. Since the symptoms began so rapidly, it is not likely dementia.
2|Page
,Acute delirium, rather than dementia, is more likely because delirium is associated with an
abrupt onset and a systemic illness. In this case the client has only had symptoms since last
night and has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. Once the infection has been
treated successfully, it is likely the client will return to his usual state. Dementia is
characterized by a slower onset of symptoms. It is nontherapeutic to tell a client's family
member he should have been treated earlier.
The nurse has reinforced instructions for a low-fat diet prescribed for an older adult to prevent
cardiovascular disease. Which meal selection best indicates the adult understands the
instructions?
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
b. Grilled steak, baked beans, and a salad
c. Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and grapes
d. A green salad, with grilled chicken and ranch dressing
a. Broiled fish, green beans, and an apple
The best selection for an older adult client who will be eating a low-fat diet is broiled fish,
green beans, and an apple. The other meal items are too high in fat.
An older adult residing at the long-term care facility developed pneumonia, was subsequently
hospitalized, and died. The nurse participating on the nursing quality assurance review
committee is most likely to note that which was the most likely early symptom the resident
displayed?
a. A cough productive of thick yellow sputum
b. Confusion reported by the resident's family
c. Respiratory stridor and expiratory wheezing
d. Hyperthermia, hypoxia, and then hypercapnia
b. Confusion reported by the resident's family
Confusion is frequently an early symptom of respiratory infection in the older adult, and is
caused by hypoxia. The immune response is delayed in the older adult, and sputum and fever
are not formed as quickly. Respiratory distress, stridor, and wheezing would be very late
symptoms of this disease.
An older client who has a history of a hip fracture was admitted to the hospital for congestive
heart failure. The client is taking codeine-acetaminophen as needed for pain. Which risk factor
3|Page
, puts this client at greatest risk for a fall?
a. Age
b. Diagnosis
c. History of falls
d. Narcotic use
c. History of falls
Older clients with previous hip fractures have a higher morbidity/mortality rate and are at a
greater risk for additional falls, so the client's history of falls would be important information
to know while planning care for the client.
The practical nurse (PN) prepares to administer eye drops and eye ointment to the client with a
left eye infection. Which nursing intervention is the most effective for administering the
medications?
a. Administer the eye drops first and then the ointment.
b. Administer the ointment and immediately follow with the eye drops.
c. Administer the ointment, wait 5 minutes, and then administer the eye drops.
d. Administer the eye drops, wait 15 minutes, and then administer the ointment.
a. Administer the eye drops first and then the ointment.
When eye drops and eye ointment are scheduled for the same time, the eye drops should be
administered first, followed by the ointment 3 to 5 minutes later.
An older adult client has been diagnosed with third-degree heart block and the health care
provider recommends a pacemaker be implanted tomorrow. Prior to the surgery, the nurse
expects the client's plan of care to emphasize which aspect?
a. Instruction to avoid microwaves
b. Preparing for blood transfusion
c. Administration of anticoagulants
d. Preventing injury related to falling
d. Preventing injury related to falling
A client with a dysrhythmia is at risk for fall injury due to syncope caused by a reduction in
cardiac output. The client's plan of care should emphasize ways to keep the client safe, such
4|Page
