Page 1 of 219
Analyzed Gerontology HESI EXAM TESTBANK
2026-2027 COMPLETE 350 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Gerontology HESI
An older male client is admitted to the hospital with left-sided heart failure (HF). Which
finding should the registered nurse (RN) document that is consistent with HF?
a) Ascites
b) Pitting edema
c) Jugular distention
d) Coarse and fine crackles
D) Coarse and fine crackles
Rationale: In left-sided heart failure, the inadequacy of pumping blood into the aorta causes
blood to back up into the pulmonary capillaries; this pushes intravascular fluid into the alveoli,
which is manifested as crackles or rales.
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).
,Page 2 of 219
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
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, B
Rationale: These continue to promote independence and decrease stress for the client, which
will increase the opportunity for nutritional intake.
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
,Page 3 of 219
B) Rationalization to support narcotic use
Rationale: Client is using rationalization to maintain self-esteem when she is questioned by
stating that she is not addicted because she is taking a medication prescribed by a healthcare
provider.
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?
a) Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem
b) Discuss benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and ejaculation
c) Explore frequency that he experiences erectile dysfunction (ED)
d) Determine if the client's wife is young enough to get pregnant
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.
The home health registered nurse (RN) is assessing an older client for a pressure ulcer. Which
finding should the RN observe the area for a Stage I pressure ulcer?
a) Superficial skin breakdown and flaking
, Page 4 of 219
b) Deep pink, red, or mottled skin
c) Subcutaneous damage or necrosis
d) Skin that blanches pink when pressed
B) Deep pink, red, or mottled skin
Rationale: Temporary blanching of the area can las for over a minute due to poor circulation.
Deep pink, red, or mottled skin is a finding consistent with a Stage I pressure ulcer.
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.
C) Older women commonly lose bone calcium which increases risk of fracture
Rationale: Best explanation to provide the client with based on aging and demineralization in
older females, especially after menopause.
Analyzed Gerontology HESI EXAM TESTBANK
2026-2027 COMPLETE 350 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Gerontology HESI
An older male client is admitted to the hospital with left-sided heart failure (HF). Which
finding should the registered nurse (RN) document that is consistent with HF?
a) Ascites
b) Pitting edema
c) Jugular distention
d) Coarse and fine crackles
D) Coarse and fine crackles
Rationale: In left-sided heart failure, the inadequacy of pumping blood into the aorta causes
blood to back up into the pulmonary capillaries; this pushes intravascular fluid into the alveoli,
which is manifested as crackles or rales.
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).
,Page 2 of 219
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
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, B
Rationale: These continue to promote independence and decrease stress for the client, which
will increase the opportunity for nutritional intake.
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
,Page 3 of 219
B) Rationalization to support narcotic use
Rationale: Client is using rationalization to maintain self-esteem when she is questioned by
stating that she is not addicted because she is taking a medication prescribed by a healthcare
provider.
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?
a) Query client to clarify the client's idea of an intimacy problem
b) Discuss benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and ejaculation
c) Explore frequency that he experiences erectile dysfunction (ED)
d) Determine if the client's wife is young enough to get pregnant
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.
The home health registered nurse (RN) is assessing an older client for a pressure ulcer. Which
finding should the RN observe the area for a Stage I pressure ulcer?
a) Superficial skin breakdown and flaking
, Page 4 of 219
b) Deep pink, red, or mottled skin
c) Subcutaneous damage or necrosis
d) Skin that blanches pink when pressed
B) Deep pink, red, or mottled skin
Rationale: Temporary blanching of the area can las for over a minute due to poor circulation.
Deep pink, red, or mottled skin is a finding consistent with a Stage I pressure ulcer.
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.
C) Older women commonly lose bone calcium which increases risk of fracture
Rationale: Best explanation to provide the client with based on aging and demineralization in
older females, especially after menopause.
