GERONTOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
A frail, elderly client is admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding is
most important for the registered nurse (RN) to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and dehydration
C. Crackles in the lung fields
D. Nausea and vomiting - ANS B. Confusion and dehydration
Rationale: Confusion and dehydration (B) are findings of inadequate oxygenation and perfusion
in this frail elderly client. (are all common with pneumonia, but the most important finding is
confusion and evidence of dehydration, which require treatment for this frail elderly client.
A frail elderly couple asks the registered nurse (RN) if they have to watch their salt intake
because food does not taste as good as it used to so they have to season most foods. What
information should the RN offer the couple? - ANS D. Taste buds are often dull due to atrophy
so older clients should use other seasonings instead of salt.
Rationale: Taste buds atrophy with normal aging, which influences an older client's sensitivity to
taste and is often compensated for the use of stronger tasting seasonings. (
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,After taking a 10-day course of an antibiotic that was ineffective, a frail, elderly client with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for pneumonia. The client has a long
history of smoking and still smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Which finding should the
registered nurse (RN) report to the healthcare provider? - ANS B. Crackles and pulse oximetry
level of 88%
Rationale: With pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation, can impact adequate
oxygenation, which should be reported to the Health Care Provider.
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explains to the
registered nurse (RN) that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented and
depressed. The client asks the RN repeatedly, "Where am I?". How should the RN respond? -
ANS A. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
Rationale: Reality re-orientation (A) is the best response for a client who is confused because
the response is consistent and true.
A new resident in an assisted living facility is an older client who is experiencing short-term
memory loss and confusion. Which activity should the registered nurse (RN) schedule the client
to do during the day? - ANS D. Daily exercise group
Rationale: A daily exercise group (D) allows the client to mirror the leader and minimizes the
client's stress to remember.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client with end stage
Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique should the registered
nurse (RN) use to determine the client's pain? - ANS C. Observe for facial grimacing
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing (C) is the best method for evaluating pain for a client
who cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease.
An older male client arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. While the nurse
assesses the client, the client states that he is having intimacy problems with his wife. Which
information should the nurse provide to elicit more information from the client? - ANS A.
Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem.
Rationale: Clarification of the client's concern is needed to appropriately address the specific
concern about intimacy issues (A).
The registered nurse (RN) 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 RN document? - ANS B. Small joint involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid arthritis.
The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions with the family of an older client
who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the
family understands the instructions? - ANS C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or
any nausea and vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction and should be addressed
immediately.
An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement of a pacemaker. What action
should the registered nurse (RN) take first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. VERIFIED
2026.
A frail, elderly client is admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding is
most important for the registered nurse (RN) to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Fever and chills
B. Confusion and dehydration
C. Crackles in the lung fields
D. Nausea and vomiting - ANS B. Confusion and dehydration
Rationale: Confusion and dehydration (B) are findings of inadequate oxygenation and perfusion
in this frail elderly client. (are all common with pneumonia, but the most important finding is
confusion and evidence of dehydration, which require treatment for this frail elderly client.
A frail elderly couple asks the registered nurse (RN) if they have to watch their salt intake
because food does not taste as good as it used to so they have to season most foods. What
information should the RN offer the couple? - ANS D. Taste buds are often dull due to atrophy
so older clients should use other seasonings instead of salt.
Rationale: Taste buds atrophy with normal aging, which influences an older client's sensitivity to
taste and is often compensated for the use of stronger tasting seasonings. (
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,After taking a 10-day course of an antibiotic that was ineffective, a frail, elderly client with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted for pneumonia. The client has a long
history of smoking and still smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Which finding should the
registered nurse (RN) report to the healthcare provider? - ANS B. Crackles and pulse oximetry
level of 88%
Rationale: With pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation, can impact adequate
oxygenation, which should be reported to the Health Care Provider.
An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The family explains to the
registered nurse (RN) that the client is unmanageable and always confused, disoriented and
depressed. The client asks the RN repeatedly, "Where am I?". How should the RN respond? -
ANS A. Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
Rationale: Reality re-orientation (A) is the best response for a client who is confused because
the response is consistent and true.
A new resident in an assisted living facility is an older client who is experiencing short-term
memory loss and confusion. Which activity should the registered nurse (RN) schedule the client
to do during the day? - ANS D. Daily exercise group
Rationale: A daily exercise group (D) allows the client to mirror the leader and minimizes the
client's stress to remember.
The hospice nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older female client with end stage
Alzheimer's disease, who recently fractured her hip. What technique should the registered
nurse (RN) use to determine the client's pain? - ANS C. Observe for facial grimacing
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Rationale: Observing for facial grimacing (C) is the best method for evaluating pain for a client
who cannot communicate due to Alzheimer disease.
An older male client arrives at the clinic for an annual physical examination. While the nurse
assesses the client, the client states that he is having intimacy problems with his wife. Which
information should the nurse provide to elicit more information from the client? - ANS A.
Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem.
Rationale: Clarification of the client's concern is needed to appropriately address the specific
concern about intimacy issues (A).
The registered nurse (RN) 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 RN document? - ANS B. Small joint involvement in fingers.
Rationale: Small joint involvement (B) is common in rheumatoid arthritis.
The registered nurse (RN) is re-enforcing discharge instructions with the family of an older client
who was recently admitted for an intestinal obstruction. Which statement indicates that the
family understands the instructions? - ANS C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or
any nausea and vomiting to the healthcare provider.
Rationale: (C) are symptoms that occur with intestinal obstruction and should be addressed
immediately.
An older client is transferred to a telemetry unit after placement of a pacemaker. What action
should the registered nurse (RN) take first?
A. View incision site
B. Obtain a blood pressure
C. Establish telemetry monitoring
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
