Gerontology HESI Practice Exam(TEST
BANK) 200 Questions , ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | 2026
1. An older adult reports difficulty hearing conversations in crowded environments. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Otitis media
B. Presbycusis (correct answer)
C. Tinnitus
D. Earwax impaction
RATIONALE: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss affecting high-
frequency sounds and speech discrimination, especially in noisy environments.
2. Which physiological change is expected with aging?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased arterial stiffness
C. Increased systolic blood pressure (correct answer)
D. Increased lung elasticity
RATIONALE: Aging causes arterial stiffening, resulting in increased systolic blood
pressure.
3. An elderly patient is at increased risk for dehydration due to:
A. Increased thirst sensation
B. Decreased renal function (correct answer)
C. Increased fluid intake
D. Increased metabolism
RATIONALE: Aging reduces kidney function and thirst sensation, increasing dehydration
risk.
4. Which is a normal respiratory change in older adults?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
,C. Decreased lung elasticity (correct answer)
D. Increased oxygen exchange
RATIONALE: Aging lungs lose elasticity, reducing gas exchange efficiency.
5. Which intervention is most effective in preventing falls?
A. Bed rest
B. Remove environmental hazards (correct answer)
C. Limit mobility
D. Reduce lighting
RATIONALE: Removing clutter and hazards reduces fall risk significantly.
6. An elderly patient presents with acute confusion. What is the priority assessment?
A. Nutrition status
B. Medication review (correct answer)
C. Exercise level
D. Sleep pattern
RATIONALE: Medications are a common cause of acute confusion (delirium) in elderly
patients.
7. Which condition is characterized by sudden onset confusion and fluctuating LOC?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium (correct answer)
C. Depression
D. Parkinson’s disease
RATIONALE: Delirium presents acutely and fluctuates, unlike dementia which is gradual.
8. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease will most likely exhibit:
A. Rapid onset symptoms
B. Gradual memory decline (correct answer)
C. Full recovery
D. Sudden paralysis
RATIONALE: Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and causes gradual cognitive decline.
,9. Which sign suggests elder abuse?
A. Improved hygiene
B. Unexplained bruising (correct answer)
C. Increased appetite
D. Weight gain
RATIONALE: Unexplained injuries are a key indicator of abuse.
10. Which is the best method to prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Bed rest
B. Frequent repositioning (correct answer)
C. Fluid restriction
D. Sedation
RATIONALE: Repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on tissues.
11. Which nutrient is essential for preventing osteoporosis?
A. Vitamin C
B. Calcium (correct answer)
C. Iron
D. Sodium
RATIONALE: Calcium is essential for bone density maintenance.
12. A patient with osteoporosis is at highest risk for:
A. Infection
B. Fractures (correct answer)
C. Stroke
D. Cancer
RATIONALE: Bone fragility increases fracture risk.
13. Which symptom is common in depression among elderly patients?
A. Euphoria
B. Social withdrawal (correct answer)
, C. Increased energy
D. Hyperactivity
RATIONALE: Depression often presents as isolation and lack of interest.
14. Which vaccine should older adults receive annually?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Influenza (correct answer)
C. HPV
D. MMR
RATIONALE: Annual flu vaccination reduces complications in elderly populations.
15. A patient with urinary incontinence should be managed initially by:
A. Fluid restriction
B. Scheduled toileting (correct answer)
C. Bed rest
D. Sedation
RATIONALE: Bladder training helps improve continence.
16. Which condition is associated with tremors and rigidity?
A. Alzheimer’s
B. Parkinson’s disease (correct answer)
C. Stroke
D. COPD
RATIONALE: Parkinson’s affects motor control, causing tremors and rigidity.
17. Which condition commonly causes confusion in elderly patients?
A. UTI (correct answer)
B. Asthma
C. Hypertension
D. Arthritis
RATIONALE: UTIs often present as confusion in older adults.
BANK) 200 Questions , ANSWERS &
RATIONALES | 2026
1. An older adult reports difficulty hearing conversations in crowded environments. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Otitis media
B. Presbycusis (correct answer)
C. Tinnitus
D. Earwax impaction
RATIONALE: Presbycusis is age-related sensorineural hearing loss affecting high-
frequency sounds and speech discrimination, especially in noisy environments.
2. Which physiological change is expected with aging?
A. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased arterial stiffness
C. Increased systolic blood pressure (correct answer)
D. Increased lung elasticity
RATIONALE: Aging causes arterial stiffening, resulting in increased systolic blood
pressure.
3. An elderly patient is at increased risk for dehydration due to:
A. Increased thirst sensation
B. Decreased renal function (correct answer)
C. Increased fluid intake
D. Increased metabolism
RATIONALE: Aging reduces kidney function and thirst sensation, increasing dehydration
risk.
4. Which is a normal respiratory change in older adults?
A. Increased vital capacity
B. Decreased residual volume
,C. Decreased lung elasticity (correct answer)
D. Increased oxygen exchange
RATIONALE: Aging lungs lose elasticity, reducing gas exchange efficiency.
5. Which intervention is most effective in preventing falls?
A. Bed rest
B. Remove environmental hazards (correct answer)
C. Limit mobility
D. Reduce lighting
RATIONALE: Removing clutter and hazards reduces fall risk significantly.
6. An elderly patient presents with acute confusion. What is the priority assessment?
A. Nutrition status
B. Medication review (correct answer)
C. Exercise level
D. Sleep pattern
RATIONALE: Medications are a common cause of acute confusion (delirium) in elderly
patients.
7. Which condition is characterized by sudden onset confusion and fluctuating LOC?
A. Dementia
B. Delirium (correct answer)
C. Depression
D. Parkinson’s disease
RATIONALE: Delirium presents acutely and fluctuates, unlike dementia which is gradual.
8. A patient with Alzheimer’s disease will most likely exhibit:
A. Rapid onset symptoms
B. Gradual memory decline (correct answer)
C. Full recovery
D. Sudden paralysis
RATIONALE: Alzheimer’s disease is progressive and causes gradual cognitive decline.
,9. Which sign suggests elder abuse?
A. Improved hygiene
B. Unexplained bruising (correct answer)
C. Increased appetite
D. Weight gain
RATIONALE: Unexplained injuries are a key indicator of abuse.
10. Which is the best method to prevent pressure ulcers?
A. Bed rest
B. Frequent repositioning (correct answer)
C. Fluid restriction
D. Sedation
RATIONALE: Repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on tissues.
11. Which nutrient is essential for preventing osteoporosis?
A. Vitamin C
B. Calcium (correct answer)
C. Iron
D. Sodium
RATIONALE: Calcium is essential for bone density maintenance.
12. A patient with osteoporosis is at highest risk for:
A. Infection
B. Fractures (correct answer)
C. Stroke
D. Cancer
RATIONALE: Bone fragility increases fracture risk.
13. Which symptom is common in depression among elderly patients?
A. Euphoria
B. Social withdrawal (correct answer)
, C. Increased energy
D. Hyperactivity
RATIONALE: Depression often presents as isolation and lack of interest.
14. Which vaccine should older adults receive annually?
A. Hepatitis B
B. Influenza (correct answer)
C. HPV
D. MMR
RATIONALE: Annual flu vaccination reduces complications in elderly populations.
15. A patient with urinary incontinence should be managed initially by:
A. Fluid restriction
B. Scheduled toileting (correct answer)
C. Bed rest
D. Sedation
RATIONALE: Bladder training helps improve continence.
16. Which condition is associated with tremors and rigidity?
A. Alzheimer’s
B. Parkinson’s disease (correct answer)
C. Stroke
D. COPD
RATIONALE: Parkinson’s affects motor control, causing tremors and rigidity.
17. Which condition commonly causes confusion in elderly patients?
A. UTI (correct answer)
B. Asthma
C. Hypertension
D. Arthritis
RATIONALE: UTIs often present as confusion in older adults.
