Gerontology HESI Practice GUARANTEED PASS !!
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 - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)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. (
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? - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)A. Explain that she is in a new home
called an assisted living community.
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, 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? -
(ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)C. Observe for facial grimacing
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? - (ANSWER)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? -
(ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the
healthcare provider.
Page 2 of 15
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 - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)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. (
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? - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)A. Explain that she is in a new home
called an assisted living community.
Page 1 of 15
, 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? -
(ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)C. Observe for facial grimacing
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? - (ANSWER)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? -
(ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)C. Report abdominal distention, constipation, or any nausea and vomiting to the
healthcare provider.
Page 2 of 15
