Geriatrics HESI/Final Exam
1. Your older female patient is complaining because she is having frequent UTIs. Which normal age-
related change is most likely to be a contributing factor?
- Answer: Decreased bladder muscle tone
Rationale: Aging often leads to decreased muscle tone in the bladder, which can impair its ability to
fully empty during urination, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
2. Which are normal age-related changes? (Select all that apply.)
- Answers: Decreased visual acuity, Increased gastric pH, Decreased serum albumin, Decreased rate of
peristalsis
Rationale: These changes commonly occur with aging: decreased visual acuity affects vision, increased
gastric pH alters digestive processes, decreased serum albumin affects protein levels, and decreased
peristalsis slows down bowel movements.
3. What are patients who have had Parkinson disease for 10 years likely to exhibit? (Select all that
apply.)
- Answers: Rigidity and tremors when at rest, Dementia
Rationale: Parkinson's disease progression often includes rigidity and tremors at rest as well as
cognitive decline, which may manifest as dementia in some cases.
4. An older adult is coming to your clinic for treatment for a gastric ulcer. Which treatment would the
nurse expect to be ordered?
- Answer: Antibiotics
Rationale: Gastric ulcers can be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, so treatment typically includes
antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria.
5. What should the nurse explain when discussing expected changes in the female reproductive system
to an older adult?
, - Answer: Production of vaginal secretions decreases
Rationale: With aging, hormonal changes lead to decreased production of vaginal secretions, which
can affect comfort and lubrication.
6. The nurse performs a skin assessment of an older adult. Which finding is abnormal and needs to be
reported?
- Answer: A dark, elevated patch that bleeds when touched
Rationale: This finding suggests a potential skin lesion that may be malignant (such as melanoma) and
requires further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
7. The nurse encourages the patient to maintain a steady weight in the recommended range to decrease
risk of which common endocrine disease observed in older adults?
- Answer: Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, a
common endocrine disorder in older adults.
8. What is the activity that best promotes health maintenance for the typical older adult?
- Answer: One 30-minute walk, 3 to 5 times a week
Rationale: Regular physical activity, such as walking, supports overall health maintenance in older
adults by promoting cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and joint flexibility.
9. The nurse recognizes that regular dental visits are:
- Answer: Recommended on a yearly basis for all older adults, even those with dentures.
Rationale: Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining oral health, preventing complications, and
addressing issues such as gum disease, regardless of whether the patient has natural teeth or dentures.
, An older adult does not follow through with health recommendations from the primary health care
provider. The older adult does not take prescribed medications or keep medical appointments. Which
patient problem should the LPN/LVN anticipate seeing on the care plan?
ch. 4 ✔️Nonadherence with the treatment plan
Which immunizations should older adults receive on a yearly basis? (Select all that apply.)
ch. 4 ✔️Influenza vaccine
When attempting to help an older adult improve his or her health maintenance practices, the nurse will
need to assess which factors? (Select all that apply.)
ch.4 ✔️Cultural beliefs
Socioeconomic status
Religious beliefs
Educational level
Your patient tells you she understands that she is at greater risk of certain diseases because of her
Hispanic American heritage. Based on what you have learned, which disorder(s) might she be at greater
risk for? (Select all that apply.)
ch.4 ✔️Obesity
Stomach cancer
Diabetes mellitus
Cervical cancer
Which interventions would be appropriate when teaching a patient with presbycusis? (Select all that
apply.)
ch. 5 ✔️Use visual cues or written materials.
Repeat information.
Face the patient when talking.
Speak without food or drink in your mouth.
1. Your older female patient is complaining because she is having frequent UTIs. Which normal age-
related change is most likely to be a contributing factor?
- Answer: Decreased bladder muscle tone
Rationale: Aging often leads to decreased muscle tone in the bladder, which can impair its ability to
fully empty during urination, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
2. Which are normal age-related changes? (Select all that apply.)
- Answers: Decreased visual acuity, Increased gastric pH, Decreased serum albumin, Decreased rate of
peristalsis
Rationale: These changes commonly occur with aging: decreased visual acuity affects vision, increased
gastric pH alters digestive processes, decreased serum albumin affects protein levels, and decreased
peristalsis slows down bowel movements.
3. What are patients who have had Parkinson disease for 10 years likely to exhibit? (Select all that
apply.)
- Answers: Rigidity and tremors when at rest, Dementia
Rationale: Parkinson's disease progression often includes rigidity and tremors at rest as well as
cognitive decline, which may manifest as dementia in some cases.
4. An older adult is coming to your clinic for treatment for a gastric ulcer. Which treatment would the
nurse expect to be ordered?
- Answer: Antibiotics
Rationale: Gastric ulcers can be caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, so treatment typically includes
antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria.
5. What should the nurse explain when discussing expected changes in the female reproductive system
to an older adult?
, - Answer: Production of vaginal secretions decreases
Rationale: With aging, hormonal changes lead to decreased production of vaginal secretions, which
can affect comfort and lubrication.
6. The nurse performs a skin assessment of an older adult. Which finding is abnormal and needs to be
reported?
- Answer: A dark, elevated patch that bleeds when touched
Rationale: This finding suggests a potential skin lesion that may be malignant (such as melanoma) and
requires further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
7. The nurse encourages the patient to maintain a steady weight in the recommended range to decrease
risk of which common endocrine disease observed in older adults?
- Answer: Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, a
common endocrine disorder in older adults.
8. What is the activity that best promotes health maintenance for the typical older adult?
- Answer: One 30-minute walk, 3 to 5 times a week
Rationale: Regular physical activity, such as walking, supports overall health maintenance in older
adults by promoting cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and joint flexibility.
9. The nurse recognizes that regular dental visits are:
- Answer: Recommended on a yearly basis for all older adults, even those with dentures.
Rationale: Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining oral health, preventing complications, and
addressing issues such as gum disease, regardless of whether the patient has natural teeth or dentures.
, An older adult does not follow through with health recommendations from the primary health care
provider. The older adult does not take prescribed medications or keep medical appointments. Which
patient problem should the LPN/LVN anticipate seeing on the care plan?
ch. 4 ✔️Nonadherence with the treatment plan
Which immunizations should older adults receive on a yearly basis? (Select all that apply.)
ch. 4 ✔️Influenza vaccine
When attempting to help an older adult improve his or her health maintenance practices, the nurse will
need to assess which factors? (Select all that apply.)
ch.4 ✔️Cultural beliefs
Socioeconomic status
Religious beliefs
Educational level
Your patient tells you she understands that she is at greater risk of certain diseases because of her
Hispanic American heritage. Based on what you have learned, which disorder(s) might she be at greater
risk for? (Select all that apply.)
ch.4 ✔️Obesity
Stomach cancer
Diabetes mellitus
Cervical cancer
Which interventions would be appropriate when teaching a patient with presbycusis? (Select all that
apply.)
ch. 5 ✔️Use visual cues or written materials.
Repeat information.
Face the patient when talking.
Speak without food or drink in your mouth.
