COMPREHENSIVE GERO HESI
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Hypodermis.
Answer: - Connects dermis to organs- Connective tissue and fat- Acts as
insulation and shock protection- Bottom layer
◍ Orthostatic hypertension.
Answer: - Decreased BP with change in position - Drop in SBP of 25 mmHg
or DBP of 10 mmHG- Symptoms 1) Dizziness2) Weakness3) Blurred
vision4) Syncope5) Changes in BP/HR- Causes 1) Hypovolemia 2)
Impaired vasoconstriction3) Medications
◍ Annular or circular lesions.
Answer: Round
◍ Colostrum.
Answer: - This thick yellow fluid is precursor for milk, containing same
amount of protein and lactose, but practically no fat- Breasts produce
colostrum for first few days after delivery- It is rich with antibodies that
protect newborn against infection, so breastfeeding is important
◍ Signs of arterial insufficiency.
Answer: - Decreased hair on extremities - Coolness of skin on extremities -
Shiny, thin skin
◍ A retired businessman, age 71, is in the office today with complaints of pain
over the inner aspect of the lower humerus of the arm. He reports that the
pain is aggravated by wrist flexion and gripping. No swelling is noted upon
examination. He is an avid golfer and works around the house doing
carpentry work. What does the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner suspect is the
, cause of his ailment? medial epicondylitis lateral epicondylitis olecranon
bursitis elbow strain.
Answer: medial epicondylitisChoice A is the right answer. This is often
called golfers' elbow because it results from repetitive activity such as
lifting, tooling, and sports that require a tight grip. The patient will complain
of pan over the medial epicondyle or inner aspect of the lower humerus.
With lateral epicondylitis (choice B) the patient has pain over the outer
aspect of the lower humerus. Olecranon bursitis (choice C) results in pain
and swelling behind the elbow and a noticeable ball or sac hanging from the
elbow. An elbow strain (choice D) is not likely to cause aggravated pain
with wrist flexion and decreased grip.
◍ Fissure.
Answer: Sharply-defined, linear or wedge-shaped tears in the epidermis with
abrupt walls.
◍ 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 RN report to
the healthcare provider?A) Barrel chest with increased chest diameterB)
Crackles and pulse oximetry level of 88%C) Low hemoglobin and
hematocrit levelsD) Arterial blood gases indicating respiratory acidosis.
Answer: BWith pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation can
impact adequate oxygenation, which should be reported to the healthcare
provider. Barrel chest occurs due to chronic hyperinflation of the lungs and
is common in clients with COPD
◍ Since his arrival in an assisted living community, an older male client is
having difficulty going to sleep. Which intervention should the RN
implement first?A) Encourage client to take a warm bath at nightB) Ask the
client what has helped him in the pastC) Recommend that the client not take
daytime napsD) Offer the client a glass of warm milk before bedtime.
Answer: BAsking the client about his sleeping habits involves the client in
, his own care and preserves his autonomy as he adapts to living in a new
community
◍ Which factors are most important for the nurse to consider when assessing
an older client with possible alcohol abuse? SATA a. Depression.b. Social
isolation.c. Strong support from famly..d. Diminished financial resources.e.
Loss of interest in hobbies..
Answer: a. Depression.b. Social isolation.e. Loss of interest in
hobbies.Rationale:Alcoholism in the older client is often underreported and
under-treated. The changes of aging and developmental may contribute to
alcohol use. Older clients are often socially isolated, have sensory deficits,
and depression which all contribute to substance use.
◍ Tumor.
Answer: A tumor is a solid mass of the skin or subcutaneous tissue; it is
larger than a nodule.
◍ A 72-year old client is prescribed testosterone gel (Androgel) for
hypogonadism. The nurse will need to reteach administration instructions to
the client if the client states which response?a. "I should cover the
application site with clothing once the gel has dried."b. "I should wash my
hands with soap and water after every application."c. "I should double the
dose at the next scheduled application if I skip a dose."d. "I can apply the
gel to clean, dry skin on my shoulders and abdomen, but not to genitalia.".
Answer: c. "I should double the dose at the next scheduled application if I
skip a dose."
◍ The nurse working on a geriatric unit notices that many of the clients with
Alzheimer's disease and dementia develop increased confusion and agitated
behaviors later in the day. Which term is used to describe this
behavior?Delirium.Sundowning.Regression.Depression..
Answer: Sundowning
◍ Stroke volume.
Answer: Amount of blood ejected with each beat
, ◍ Vesicular Sounds.
Answer: Heard over tissue
◍ Acromegaly.
Answer: Head enlargement
◍ Kidney referred pain.
Answer: The lower back
◍ Normal urinary output.
Answer: Adult urinary output of approximately 60 mL/hour is considered
normal.Abnormal Output of less than 30 mL/hour may indicate decreased
renal perfusion and should be reported to the patient's PCP
immediately.Normal GFRThe glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is another
essential test of renal function. A level less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 may be
a sign of renal failure.
◍ Diastis Recti.
Answer: - Abdominal Separation - Common prenatal and postpartum proble
◍ What condition involves decline in sense of smell, usually gradual, and
results in fine taste discrimination? presbycusis hyposmia hyperosmia
presbyopia.
Answer: hyposmiaChoice B is the right answer. The etiology of hyposmia is
neural degeneration and it is accelerated by tobacco use. A gradual decline
in sense of smell is seen.
◍ Fall Prevention Interventions.
Answer: Observe patient during basic activities of daily living (ADLs),
instructing her regarding ways to conserve energy while still encouraging
independence. Check blood pressure and pulse, supine and standing, to
determine whether orthostatic hypotension exists. Keep immediate
environment free of obstacles. Instruct patient to dangle legs before standing
up from a supine position. Place call light within reach to encourage patient
to call for assistance. Provide temporary use of bedside commode to limit
exertional activities while still encouraging independence; instruct in the use
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Hypodermis.
Answer: - Connects dermis to organs- Connective tissue and fat- Acts as
insulation and shock protection- Bottom layer
◍ Orthostatic hypertension.
Answer: - Decreased BP with change in position - Drop in SBP of 25 mmHg
or DBP of 10 mmHG- Symptoms 1) Dizziness2) Weakness3) Blurred
vision4) Syncope5) Changes in BP/HR- Causes 1) Hypovolemia 2)
Impaired vasoconstriction3) Medications
◍ Annular or circular lesions.
Answer: Round
◍ Colostrum.
Answer: - This thick yellow fluid is precursor for milk, containing same
amount of protein and lactose, but practically no fat- Breasts produce
colostrum for first few days after delivery- It is rich with antibodies that
protect newborn against infection, so breastfeeding is important
◍ Signs of arterial insufficiency.
Answer: - Decreased hair on extremities - Coolness of skin on extremities -
Shiny, thin skin
◍ A retired businessman, age 71, is in the office today with complaints of pain
over the inner aspect of the lower humerus of the arm. He reports that the
pain is aggravated by wrist flexion and gripping. No swelling is noted upon
examination. He is an avid golfer and works around the house doing
carpentry work. What does the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner suspect is the
, cause of his ailment? medial epicondylitis lateral epicondylitis olecranon
bursitis elbow strain.
Answer: medial epicondylitisChoice A is the right answer. This is often
called golfers' elbow because it results from repetitive activity such as
lifting, tooling, and sports that require a tight grip. The patient will complain
of pan over the medial epicondyle or inner aspect of the lower humerus.
With lateral epicondylitis (choice B) the patient has pain over the outer
aspect of the lower humerus. Olecranon bursitis (choice C) results in pain
and swelling behind the elbow and a noticeable ball or sac hanging from the
elbow. An elbow strain (choice D) is not likely to cause aggravated pain
with wrist flexion and decreased grip.
◍ Fissure.
Answer: Sharply-defined, linear or wedge-shaped tears in the epidermis with
abrupt walls.
◍ 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 RN report to
the healthcare provider?A) Barrel chest with increased chest diameterB)
Crackles and pulse oximetry level of 88%C) Low hemoglobin and
hematocrit levelsD) Arterial blood gases indicating respiratory acidosis.
Answer: BWith pneumonia, crackles in the lungs and low O2 saturation can
impact adequate oxygenation, which should be reported to the healthcare
provider. Barrel chest occurs due to chronic hyperinflation of the lungs and
is common in clients with COPD
◍ Since his arrival in an assisted living community, an older male client is
having difficulty going to sleep. Which intervention should the RN
implement first?A) Encourage client to take a warm bath at nightB) Ask the
client what has helped him in the pastC) Recommend that the client not take
daytime napsD) Offer the client a glass of warm milk before bedtime.
Answer: BAsking the client about his sleeping habits involves the client in
, his own care and preserves his autonomy as he adapts to living in a new
community
◍ Which factors are most important for the nurse to consider when assessing
an older client with possible alcohol abuse? SATA a. Depression.b. Social
isolation.c. Strong support from famly..d. Diminished financial resources.e.
Loss of interest in hobbies..
Answer: a. Depression.b. Social isolation.e. Loss of interest in
hobbies.Rationale:Alcoholism in the older client is often underreported and
under-treated. The changes of aging and developmental may contribute to
alcohol use. Older clients are often socially isolated, have sensory deficits,
and depression which all contribute to substance use.
◍ Tumor.
Answer: A tumor is a solid mass of the skin or subcutaneous tissue; it is
larger than a nodule.
◍ A 72-year old client is prescribed testosterone gel (Androgel) for
hypogonadism. The nurse will need to reteach administration instructions to
the client if the client states which response?a. "I should cover the
application site with clothing once the gel has dried."b. "I should wash my
hands with soap and water after every application."c. "I should double the
dose at the next scheduled application if I skip a dose."d. "I can apply the
gel to clean, dry skin on my shoulders and abdomen, but not to genitalia.".
Answer: c. "I should double the dose at the next scheduled application if I
skip a dose."
◍ The nurse working on a geriatric unit notices that many of the clients with
Alzheimer's disease and dementia develop increased confusion and agitated
behaviors later in the day. Which term is used to describe this
behavior?Delirium.Sundowning.Regression.Depression..
Answer: Sundowning
◍ Stroke volume.
Answer: Amount of blood ejected with each beat
, ◍ Vesicular Sounds.
Answer: Heard over tissue
◍ Acromegaly.
Answer: Head enlargement
◍ Kidney referred pain.
Answer: The lower back
◍ Normal urinary output.
Answer: Adult urinary output of approximately 60 mL/hour is considered
normal.Abnormal Output of less than 30 mL/hour may indicate decreased
renal perfusion and should be reported to the patient's PCP
immediately.Normal GFRThe glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is another
essential test of renal function. A level less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 may be
a sign of renal failure.
◍ Diastis Recti.
Answer: - Abdominal Separation - Common prenatal and postpartum proble
◍ What condition involves decline in sense of smell, usually gradual, and
results in fine taste discrimination? presbycusis hyposmia hyperosmia
presbyopia.
Answer: hyposmiaChoice B is the right answer. The etiology of hyposmia is
neural degeneration and it is accelerated by tobacco use. A gradual decline
in sense of smell is seen.
◍ Fall Prevention Interventions.
Answer: Observe patient during basic activities of daily living (ADLs),
instructing her regarding ways to conserve energy while still encouraging
independence. Check blood pressure and pulse, supine and standing, to
determine whether orthostatic hypotension exists. Keep immediate
environment free of obstacles. Instruct patient to dangle legs before standing
up from a supine position. Place call light within reach to encourage patient
to call for assistance. Provide temporary use of bedside commode to limit
exertional activities while still encouraging independence; instruct in the use
