HESI RN GERONTOLOGY EXIT EXAM
VERSION 3 /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
The registered nurse (RN) is reinforcing discharge instructions to the family of an older client
with failure to thrive. What information should the RN include to promote nutritional intake for
the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Minimize stress levels by providing the client with a quiet environment during meals
B. Provide food variations that the client can manage without assistance
C. Assist the client with eating meals in bed in a semi-Fowler's position
D. Encourage fluid intake before meals to decrease dehydration
E. Offer any type of food to the client as long as calories are consumed
(A) Minimize stress level by providing the client with a quiet environment during meals
(B) Provide food variations that the client can manage without assistance
Rationale: (A and B) are correct and continue to promote independence and decreased stress
for the client, which will increase the opportunity for nutritional intake. (C) increases
dependence for the older client, which can also cause decreased self-worth and depression.
(D) will make the client feel full and will decrease the client's ability to consume nutritional
calories.
The registered nurse (RN) is assigned the care of an older client who returns to the unit after
surgery for closed angle glaucoma. What intervention in the plan of care should the RN bring to
the attention of the healthcare team?
A. Assist with ambulating to commode
B. Monitor intake and output q8 hours
1|Page
,C. Administer morphine 4 mg IM q2 hour PRN pain
D. Place an eye patch on operative eye during sleep
(C) Administer morphine 4 mg IM q2 hour PRN pain
Rationale: Morphine side effects include nausea, vomiting and constipation, causing straining
on stool, all of which can increase intraocular pressure and cause intraocular bleeding during
the postoperative period. Administration of morphine 0.4 mg IM q2 hours PRN pain (C)
should be discussed with the healthcare team to determine the risk of the side effects for the
client. (A), (B) and (D) are interventions that do not place the client at risk.
After a recent total hip replacement, an older female client, who transferred to a rehabilitation
facility placement, asks the registered nurse (RN) if she broke her hip because she is old. How
should the RN best respond?
A. Hip fractures can occur in any age group and require strength conditioning
B. With aging, everything tends to break down more easily the older one gets
C. Older people tend to look down instead of ahead, increasing the risk of falls
D. Older women commonly lose bone calcium, which increases the risk of fracture
(D) Older women commonly lose bone calcium which increases the risk of fracture.
Rationale: The best response is to provide the client with an explanation based on aging and
demineralization of the bone (D) in older females, especially after menopause. (A, B and C)
offer other responses but are not client centered in response to her expressed self-concern.
An older male client is admitted for emergency treatment of acute closed-angle glaucoma. The
registered nurse (RN) begins administering the prescribed miotic medications and glycerin
(Glycol) therapy. Which intervention is most important for the RN to maintain during the client's
therapy?
A. Maintain lighting control in the room during therapy
B. Monitor intake and output q2 hours for 24 hours
C. Place an eye patch over the affected eye during sleep
D. Administer the eye drops at the scheduled intervals
(B) Monitor intake and output q2 hours for 24 hours
Rationale: Monitoring intake and output (B) is most important during the administration of
glycerin (Glycol) due to the rapid acting osmotic diuretic effect of glycerin therapy. (A, C and
D) are components of care, but the most important action during glycerin administration is
evaluation of output.
2|Page
,The home health registered nurse (RN) visits an older woman with heart failure (HF) who is on
complete bed rest. Which intervention is most important for the RN to suggest to the client to
prevent complications related to immobility?
A. Get as much sleep as possible
B. Perform leg exercises while in bed
C. increase protein intake to combat fatigue
D. Invite friends to visit to decrease risk for depression
(B) Perform leg exercises while in bed.
Rationale: The client is at risk for complications related to immobility. (B) should be
performed frequently to decrease the risk for thrombophlebitis. (A, C and D) are measures to
help the client while on bedrest, but the most important complication that the client is at risk
for deep vein thrombosis
An older client is admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of Addison's disease. Which skin finding
should the registered nurse (RN) document that is typical with Addison's disease?
A. Moon face
B. Hyperpigmentation
C. Excessive acne
D. Multiple skin tags
(B) Hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Addision's disease is characterized by a deficiency in the production of adrenal
cortex hormones, which results in anterior pituitary feedback to secrete stimulating
hormones, such as melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) that increases melanin
production. (B) is seen in clients with Addison's disease. (A and C) are typical of Cushing's
syndrome which is due to excessive adrenal cortisol. (D) are not associated with Addison's
disease.
Osteoporosis increases the risk for a hip fracture in older adults, and women are more likely to
have osteoporosis than men. Women of which ethnic group have the highest risk for a hip
fracture? (Arrange with the highest risk first and the lowest risk last.)
A. African American
B. Caucasian
C. Asian
D. Hispanic
3|Page
, (B) Caucasian
(C) Asian
(D) Hispanic
(A) African American
Rationale: Caucasian women have the highest risk for hip fractures secondary to osteoporosis.
Women of Asian descent have the second highest risk, followed by Hispanic women and
African American women.
An older male client returns to the hospital after discharge 4 days ago for a TURP. The registered
nurse (RN) evaluates the function of the 3-way indwelling urinary catheter and the continuous
bladder irrigation system. Which finding should the RN report to the healthcare provider?
A. Irrigation bag of normal saline is hanging at the level of the client's head
B. The urinary output is greater than the amount of irrigation fluid instilled
C. The irrigation tubing is attached to the irrigation port on the 3-way catheter
D. The tubing that drains the urinary bladder has bright red urine with clots.
(D) The tubing that drains the urinary bladder has bright red urine with clots.
Rationale: The presence of bright red urine with clots in the tubing draining the bladder (D) is
an abnormal finding indicating active bleeding, which should have resolved 36-72 hours
postoperatively and should be reported. (A, B and C) indicate that the system is functioning
properly.
An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community refuses to eat or join any
activities. When evaluating the client further, what should the registered nurse (RN) focus on
during the next examination?
A. Anxiety
B. Depression
C. Exhaustion
D. Confusion
(B) Depression
Rationale: Depression is a symptom that an older client is likely to experience with a sudden
change in living accommodations when a loss of personal identity can create low self-esteem.
(A, C and D) are other symptoms that the client can exhibit, but with the sudden change in
lifestyle, (B) is most likely and most important for the RN to focus on.
An older client who is a resident in a long-term care facility is receiving medications through a
gastric tube (GT). After interrupting the continuous GT feeding in which sequence should the
4|Page
VERSION 3 /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
The registered nurse (RN) is reinforcing discharge instructions to the family of an older client
with failure to thrive. What information should the RN include to promote nutritional intake for
the client? (Select all that apply.)
A. Minimize stress levels by providing the client with a quiet environment during meals
B. Provide food variations that the client can manage without assistance
C. Assist the client with eating meals in bed in a semi-Fowler's position
D. Encourage fluid intake before meals to decrease dehydration
E. Offer any type of food to the client as long as calories are consumed
(A) Minimize stress level by providing the client with a quiet environment during meals
(B) Provide food variations that the client can manage without assistance
Rationale: (A and B) are correct and continue to promote independence and decreased stress
for the client, which will increase the opportunity for nutritional intake. (C) increases
dependence for the older client, which can also cause decreased self-worth and depression.
(D) will make the client feel full and will decrease the client's ability to consume nutritional
calories.
The registered nurse (RN) is assigned the care of an older client who returns to the unit after
surgery for closed angle glaucoma. What intervention in the plan of care should the RN bring to
the attention of the healthcare team?
A. Assist with ambulating to commode
B. Monitor intake and output q8 hours
1|Page
,C. Administer morphine 4 mg IM q2 hour PRN pain
D. Place an eye patch on operative eye during sleep
(C) Administer morphine 4 mg IM q2 hour PRN pain
Rationale: Morphine side effects include nausea, vomiting and constipation, causing straining
on stool, all of which can increase intraocular pressure and cause intraocular bleeding during
the postoperative period. Administration of morphine 0.4 mg IM q2 hours PRN pain (C)
should be discussed with the healthcare team to determine the risk of the side effects for the
client. (A), (B) and (D) are interventions that do not place the client at risk.
After a recent total hip replacement, an older female client, who transferred to a rehabilitation
facility placement, asks the registered nurse (RN) if she broke her hip because she is old. How
should the RN best respond?
A. Hip fractures can occur in any age group and require strength conditioning
B. With aging, everything tends to break down more easily the older one gets
C. Older people tend to look down instead of ahead, increasing the risk of falls
D. Older women commonly lose bone calcium, which increases the risk of fracture
(D) Older women commonly lose bone calcium which increases the risk of fracture.
Rationale: The best response is to provide the client with an explanation based on aging and
demineralization of the bone (D) in older females, especially after menopause. (A, B and C)
offer other responses but are not client centered in response to her expressed self-concern.
An older male client is admitted for emergency treatment of acute closed-angle glaucoma. The
registered nurse (RN) begins administering the prescribed miotic medications and glycerin
(Glycol) therapy. Which intervention is most important for the RN to maintain during the client's
therapy?
A. Maintain lighting control in the room during therapy
B. Monitor intake and output q2 hours for 24 hours
C. Place an eye patch over the affected eye during sleep
D. Administer the eye drops at the scheduled intervals
(B) Monitor intake and output q2 hours for 24 hours
Rationale: Monitoring intake and output (B) is most important during the administration of
glycerin (Glycol) due to the rapid acting osmotic diuretic effect of glycerin therapy. (A, C and
D) are components of care, but the most important action during glycerin administration is
evaluation of output.
2|Page
,The home health registered nurse (RN) visits an older woman with heart failure (HF) who is on
complete bed rest. Which intervention is most important for the RN to suggest to the client to
prevent complications related to immobility?
A. Get as much sleep as possible
B. Perform leg exercises while in bed
C. increase protein intake to combat fatigue
D. Invite friends to visit to decrease risk for depression
(B) Perform leg exercises while in bed.
Rationale: The client is at risk for complications related to immobility. (B) should be
performed frequently to decrease the risk for thrombophlebitis. (A, C and D) are measures to
help the client while on bedrest, but the most important complication that the client is at risk
for deep vein thrombosis
An older client is admitted with a preliminary diagnosis of Addison's disease. Which skin finding
should the registered nurse (RN) document that is typical with Addison's disease?
A. Moon face
B. Hyperpigmentation
C. Excessive acne
D. Multiple skin tags
(B) Hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Addision's disease is characterized by a deficiency in the production of adrenal
cortex hormones, which results in anterior pituitary feedback to secrete stimulating
hormones, such as melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) that increases melanin
production. (B) is seen in clients with Addison's disease. (A and C) are typical of Cushing's
syndrome which is due to excessive adrenal cortisol. (D) are not associated with Addison's
disease.
Osteoporosis increases the risk for a hip fracture in older adults, and women are more likely to
have osteoporosis than men. Women of which ethnic group have the highest risk for a hip
fracture? (Arrange with the highest risk first and the lowest risk last.)
A. African American
B. Caucasian
C. Asian
D. Hispanic
3|Page
, (B) Caucasian
(C) Asian
(D) Hispanic
(A) African American
Rationale: Caucasian women have the highest risk for hip fractures secondary to osteoporosis.
Women of Asian descent have the second highest risk, followed by Hispanic women and
African American women.
An older male client returns to the hospital after discharge 4 days ago for a TURP. The registered
nurse (RN) evaluates the function of the 3-way indwelling urinary catheter and the continuous
bladder irrigation system. Which finding should the RN report to the healthcare provider?
A. Irrigation bag of normal saline is hanging at the level of the client's head
B. The urinary output is greater than the amount of irrigation fluid instilled
C. The irrigation tubing is attached to the irrigation port on the 3-way catheter
D. The tubing that drains the urinary bladder has bright red urine with clots.
(D) The tubing that drains the urinary bladder has bright red urine with clots.
Rationale: The presence of bright red urine with clots in the tubing draining the bladder (D) is
an abnormal finding indicating active bleeding, which should have resolved 36-72 hours
postoperatively and should be reported. (A, B and C) indicate that the system is functioning
properly.
An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community refuses to eat or join any
activities. When evaluating the client further, what should the registered nurse (RN) focus on
during the next examination?
A. Anxiety
B. Depression
C. Exhaustion
D. Confusion
(B) Depression
Rationale: Depression is a symptom that an older client is likely to experience with a sudden
change in living accommodations when a loss of personal identity can create low self-esteem.
(A, C and D) are other symptoms that the client can exhibit, but with the sudden change in
lifestyle, (B) is most likely and most important for the RN to focus on.
An older client who is a resident in a long-term care facility is receiving medications through a
gastric tube (GT). After interrupting the continuous GT feeding in which sequence should the
4|Page
