1|Page
GERONTOLOGY HESI TEST –CERTIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2026
With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST likely prescribe what
medication?
Metronidazole.
Erythromycin.
Ampicillin.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. - correct-answer -Metronidazole.
The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the following: - Campylobacter
jejuni: Erythromycin - Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole
A 65-year-old Caucasian male calls your office. He tells you he just came in from
the woods and discovered a tick on his upper right thigh. He reports self removal
of the tick and now the area is slightly red. What should you advise him to do?
He should come to the office for a ceftriaxone (Rocephin) injection.
He should be prescribed doxycycline.
He needs no treatment.
He needs a topical scrub to prevent Lyme Disease. - correct-answer -He needs no
treatment.
,2|Page
To develop Lyme Disease from a tick bite, many factors must be present. The tick
must belong to Ixodes species and must have been attached for at least 48 hours
before the disease can spread. There is no need for prophylactic treatment in this
case because the tick has not been present long enough.
As part of the treatment plan for your elderly patient, you recommend he see an
Ophthalmologist. What body part(s) will this doctor evaluate?
Brain / nerves.
Eyes.
Bones / Joints / Muscles.
Ears / Throat. - correct-answer -Eyes
Neurologist - Brain / nerves Ophthalmologist - Eyes Orthopedist - Bones / Joints /
Muscles Otolaryngologist - Ears / Throat
As a GNP you understand that due to physiological changes of aging, some
laboratory test results will have age-related changes. Which of the following
values would be the least likely to be affected?
red blood cell values
white blood cell counts
platelet range
,3|Page
hemoglobin values - correct-answer -platelet range
Due to the physiological changes of aging, red blood cell values tend to decrease,
white blood cell counts tend to decrease slightly, hemoglobin values slightly
decrease, but platelet range does not vary.
The family of a patient with dementia has asked you to tell them more about this
condition. You would tell them all of the following except:
Dementia is the leading reason for institutionalization of older adults.
Some persons diagnosed with dementia have reversible pseudodementia.
Irreversible dementia has a gradual onset and a progressive downward course.
50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. - correct-
answer -50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia.
This statement is not true. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of the older
adult population suffer from some form of dementia. There are 1.2 million cases
in the United States in people over the age of 65.
What is true regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Contrast venography is the most commonly used test to diagnose this.
Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical
presentation alone is problematic.
, 4|Page
Hypocoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT.
Therapy for patients with DVT is aimed at easing the pain. - correct-answer -
Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical
presentation alone is problematic.
Choice B is the right answer. Contrast venography has the greatest sensitivity and
specificity for the condition but due to the cost and nature of the test, ultrasound
is more common as first-line diagnostic technique (choice A). A hypercoagulation
state presents a considerable risk for DVT (choice C). Therapy for patients with
DVT is aimed at minimizing the risk of pulmonary embolism and extension of
peripheral thrombus (choice D).
It has been determined that an elderly patient is suffering from long term
insomnia. Which of the following is LESS likely to be considered a long term cause
of the condition?
Nocturia.
Environmental changes.
Congestive heart failure.
Alcohol and substance abuse. - correct-answer -Environmental changes.
There are various causes of insomnia in the elderly. While some may be the cause
of short term insomnia and others long term insomnia, long term insomnia is
more common in the elderly than short term.
In terms of the elderly which of the following is NOT true of hypothyroidism?
GERONTOLOGY HESI TEST –CERTIFIED
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS 2026
With a giardia lamblia diagnosis, the NP would MOST likely prescribe what
medication?
Metronidazole.
Erythromycin.
Ampicillin.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. - correct-answer -Metronidazole.
The preceding drugs are typically used in treating the following: - Campylobacter
jejuni: Erythromycin - Salmonella: Ampicillin - Shigella: Trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole - Giardia lamblia: Metronidazole
A 65-year-old Caucasian male calls your office. He tells you he just came in from
the woods and discovered a tick on his upper right thigh. He reports self removal
of the tick and now the area is slightly red. What should you advise him to do?
He should come to the office for a ceftriaxone (Rocephin) injection.
He should be prescribed doxycycline.
He needs no treatment.
He needs a topical scrub to prevent Lyme Disease. - correct-answer -He needs no
treatment.
,2|Page
To develop Lyme Disease from a tick bite, many factors must be present. The tick
must belong to Ixodes species and must have been attached for at least 48 hours
before the disease can spread. There is no need for prophylactic treatment in this
case because the tick has not been present long enough.
As part of the treatment plan for your elderly patient, you recommend he see an
Ophthalmologist. What body part(s) will this doctor evaluate?
Brain / nerves.
Eyes.
Bones / Joints / Muscles.
Ears / Throat. - correct-answer -Eyes
Neurologist - Brain / nerves Ophthalmologist - Eyes Orthopedist - Bones / Joints /
Muscles Otolaryngologist - Ears / Throat
As a GNP you understand that due to physiological changes of aging, some
laboratory test results will have age-related changes. Which of the following
values would be the least likely to be affected?
red blood cell values
white blood cell counts
platelet range
,3|Page
hemoglobin values - correct-answer -platelet range
Due to the physiological changes of aging, red blood cell values tend to decrease,
white blood cell counts tend to decrease slightly, hemoglobin values slightly
decrease, but platelet range does not vary.
The family of a patient with dementia has asked you to tell them more about this
condition. You would tell them all of the following except:
Dementia is the leading reason for institutionalization of older adults.
Some persons diagnosed with dementia have reversible pseudodementia.
Irreversible dementia has a gradual onset and a progressive downward course.
50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia. - correct-
answer -50% of the older adult population suffer from some form of dementia.
This statement is not true. It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of the older
adult population suffer from some form of dementia. There are 1.2 million cases
in the United States in people over the age of 65.
What is true regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
Contrast venography is the most commonly used test to diagnose this.
Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical
presentation alone is problematic.
, 4|Page
Hypocoagulation state presents a considerable risk for DVT.
Therapy for patients with DVT is aimed at easing the pain. - correct-answer -
Because the presentation of DVT varies, making the diagnosis from clinical
presentation alone is problematic.
Choice B is the right answer. Contrast venography has the greatest sensitivity and
specificity for the condition but due to the cost and nature of the test, ultrasound
is more common as first-line diagnostic technique (choice A). A hypercoagulation
state presents a considerable risk for DVT (choice C). Therapy for patients with
DVT is aimed at minimizing the risk of pulmonary embolism and extension of
peripheral thrombus (choice D).
It has been determined that an elderly patient is suffering from long term
insomnia. Which of the following is LESS likely to be considered a long term cause
of the condition?
Nocturia.
Environmental changes.
Congestive heart failure.
Alcohol and substance abuse. - correct-answer -Environmental changes.
There are various causes of insomnia in the elderly. While some may be the cause
of short term insomnia and others long term insomnia, long term insomnia is
more common in the elderly than short term.
In terms of the elderly which of the following is NOT true of hypothyroidism?
