GERONTOLOGY HESI CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXAMS AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS FULL SOLUTION 2026.
⩥ An older female client who has been taking
hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) q4 hours for chronic back pain
for the past 5 years tells the registered nurse (RN) that she cannot live
without her pain pills. When asked if she is addicted, the client states
that she is not an addict because the healthcare provider prescribed the
pain pills. Which coping mechanism should the RN determine the
client is using about her addiction?
A. Lack of knowledge about narcotic medications
B. Rationalization to support narcotic use
C. Transfer of blame to healthcare provider
D. Justification of narcotic use due to chronic pain Answer: B.
Rationalization to support narcotic use.
Rationale: The client is using rationalization to maintain self-esteem
when she is questioned by stating that she is not addicted because she
is taking medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. (A) may be
possible, but the client is being specifically asked about possible
addiction. (C) and (D) underlie the complexity of denial in addiction,
but the client is trying to maintain self-esteem through rationalization.
⩥ A family member brings their aging father to the clinic because he
has been alert and oriented during the day but agitated and disoriented
in the evening. The registered nurse (RN) reviews the client's list of
,current medications with the client and family. Which action taken by
the RN is most important?
A. Medication review with family caregivers is the RN's
responsibility
B. Multiple medications can contribute to sundowner-like symptoms
C. Medication recall is the best way to evaluate the client's memory
D. Reviewing medication actions is a component of effective client
care Answer: B. Multiple medications can contribute to sundowner
like symptoms.
Rationale: Older clients may see a variety of HCP which can increase
the chance of polypharmacy that compounds the workload of
metabolic pathways that may be less efficient due to the aging
process. Multiple medication interactions may contribute to
sundowner like symptoms; reviewing medication actions and
interactions provides the information that may indicate polypharmacy
leading to sundowner syndromes.
⩥ Since his arrival in an assisted living community, an older male
client is having difficulty going to sleep. Which intervention should
the registered nurse (RN) implement first?
A. Encourage client to take a warm bath at night
B. Ask the client what has helped him in the past
C. Recommend that the client not take daytime naps
D. Offer the client a glass of warm milk before bedtime Answer: B.
Ask the client what has helped him in the past.
, Rationale: Asking the client (B) about his sleeping habits involves the
client in his own care and preserves his autonomy as he adapts to
living in a new community. (A, C, and D) are common ways to
promote nighttime sleep but these should be explored with the client
and his preferences.
⩥ The home health registered nurse (RN) is visiting an older client
with chronic hypertension. What evaluation is most important for the
RN to complete with each visit?
A. Effectiveness of medication
B. Ability to ambulate
C. Signs of dehydration
D. Familial support Answer: A. Effectiveness of medication
Rationale: The highest priority in the care of an older client with
chronic hypertension is evaluation of the effectiveness of blood
pressure medication (A) and the client's compliance in order to
prevent complications related to chronic disease. (B, C and D) are
issues common in the older population, but the effectiveness of the
blood pressure management is most important.
⩥ An older male client with heart failure (HF) complains of chronic
constipation and wants to retrain his bowel. Which information should
the registered nurse (RN) offer the client for establishing regular
bowel habits?
A. Add whole grain foods and fibrous vegetables to diet
B. Drink water and fluids up to 3,000 ml daily
EVALUATION EXAMS AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS FULL SOLUTION 2026.
⩥ An older female client who has been taking
hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Lortab) q4 hours for chronic back pain
for the past 5 years tells the registered nurse (RN) that she cannot live
without her pain pills. When asked if she is addicted, the client states
that she is not an addict because the healthcare provider prescribed the
pain pills. Which coping mechanism should the RN determine the
client is using about her addiction?
A. Lack of knowledge about narcotic medications
B. Rationalization to support narcotic use
C. Transfer of blame to healthcare provider
D. Justification of narcotic use due to chronic pain Answer: B.
Rationalization to support narcotic use.
Rationale: The client is using rationalization to maintain self-esteem
when she is questioned by stating that she is not addicted because she
is taking medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. (A) may be
possible, but the client is being specifically asked about possible
addiction. (C) and (D) underlie the complexity of denial in addiction,
but the client is trying to maintain self-esteem through rationalization.
⩥ A family member brings their aging father to the clinic because he
has been alert and oriented during the day but agitated and disoriented
in the evening. The registered nurse (RN) reviews the client's list of
,current medications with the client and family. Which action taken by
the RN is most important?
A. Medication review with family caregivers is the RN's
responsibility
B. Multiple medications can contribute to sundowner-like symptoms
C. Medication recall is the best way to evaluate the client's memory
D. Reviewing medication actions is a component of effective client
care Answer: B. Multiple medications can contribute to sundowner
like symptoms.
Rationale: Older clients may see a variety of HCP which can increase
the chance of polypharmacy that compounds the workload of
metabolic pathways that may be less efficient due to the aging
process. Multiple medication interactions may contribute to
sundowner like symptoms; reviewing medication actions and
interactions provides the information that may indicate polypharmacy
leading to sundowner syndromes.
⩥ Since his arrival in an assisted living community, an older male
client is having difficulty going to sleep. Which intervention should
the registered nurse (RN) implement first?
A. Encourage client to take a warm bath at night
B. Ask the client what has helped him in the past
C. Recommend that the client not take daytime naps
D. Offer the client a glass of warm milk before bedtime Answer: B.
Ask the client what has helped him in the past.
, Rationale: Asking the client (B) about his sleeping habits involves the
client in his own care and preserves his autonomy as he adapts to
living in a new community. (A, C, and D) are common ways to
promote nighttime sleep but these should be explored with the client
and his preferences.
⩥ The home health registered nurse (RN) is visiting an older client
with chronic hypertension. What evaluation is most important for the
RN to complete with each visit?
A. Effectiveness of medication
B. Ability to ambulate
C. Signs of dehydration
D. Familial support Answer: A. Effectiveness of medication
Rationale: The highest priority in the care of an older client with
chronic hypertension is evaluation of the effectiveness of blood
pressure medication (A) and the client's compliance in order to
prevent complications related to chronic disease. (B, C and D) are
issues common in the older population, but the effectiveness of the
blood pressure management is most important.
⩥ An older male client with heart failure (HF) complains of chronic
constipation and wants to retrain his bowel. Which information should
the registered nurse (RN) offer the client for establishing regular
bowel habits?
A. Add whole grain foods and fibrous vegetables to diet
B. Drink water and fluids up to 3,000 ml daily
