HESI PN GERONTOLOGY EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
1. The practical nurse (PN) is implementing a self-medication program for an
older resident who is newly admitted to an assisted living community.
Which actions should the PN implement to provide the resident ways to
maintain safe medication administration? (select all that apply.) - ANSWER
✔ A. Locked medication storage in the client's room.
B. Medication Administration Record (MAR).
D. Delivery of adequate supply of medication.
E. List of findings indicating medication effectiveness.
2. Which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should the practical
nurse (PN) document when evaluating an older client? (select all that apply.)
- ANSWER ✔ C. Cardiac murmurs.
D. Widening pulse pressure.
3. An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community
refuses to eat or join any activities. When evaluating the client further, what
should the practical nurse (PN) focus on during the next examination? -
ANSWER ✔ Depression.
4. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an elderly client with functional
incontinence who lives in an assisted living community. The client is alert,
mildly confused, and can self ambulate. Which nursing intervention should
the PN implement? - ANSWER ✔ Offer assistance with toileting q2 hours.
,5. The healthcare provider prescribes a new medication, atrovastatin (lipitor),
for an older client who arrives at the clinic for an annual physical
examination. What common side effect should the practical nurse (PN)
advise the client to observe for with this medication? - ANSWER ✔
Headaches.
6. The practical nurse (PN) 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 ✔ Report abdominal distention, constipation, or
any nausea and vomiting to the health care provider.
7. An older client asks the practical nurse (PN) how he can reduce his incidents
of hemorrhoidal flare ups. What information should the PN offer the client
to prevent rectal discomfort?( Select all that apply.) - ANSWER ✔ A.
Increase fiber and liquids in the diet to help prevent constipation and
straining.
C. Use a therapeutic cushion or frequent repositioning for periods of prolonged
sitting.
D. Take frequent warm sitz baths and use non-abrasive tissue that can tramatize
tissues.
E. Establish bowel habits by scheduling time where the client is not rushed to
defecate daily.
8. An older female client is recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility after
a total hip replacement and asks the practical nurse (PN) if she broke her hip
because she is old. How should the PN best respond? - ANSWER ✔ Older
women commonly lose bone calcium which increases the risk of fracture.
9. An older client is admitted a preliminary diagnosis of Addison's Disease.
Which skin finding should the practical nurse (PN) document that is typical
with Addison's? - ANSWER ✔ Hyperpigmentation.
10.An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The
family explain to the practical nurse (PN) that the client is unmanageable
and always confused, disoriented, and depressed. The client asks the PN
repeatedly, "Where am I?" How should the PN respond? - ANSWER ✔
Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
,11.The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is having an exacerbation
of congestive heart failure (CHF). The PN should place the client in which
position?
a. Trendelenburg position
b. Lateral lying, with the legs slightly bent
c. Upright, with the legs in a dependent position
d. Semi-Fowler, with the legs elevated above the heart - ANSWER ✔
c. Upright, with the legs in a dependent position
Clients with congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema should be positioned
upright, preferably with the legs dangling over the side of the bed, to decrease
venous return and lung congestion.
12.The client complains of nausea and vomiting about 1 hour after taking the
morning dose of an oral antidiabetic agent, glyburide. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
a. Administer an additional dose of glyburide.
b. Take the client's blood glucose levels and administer insulin
subcutaneously.
c. Check the blood glucose level and monitor for signs of
hyperglycemia.
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of
hypoglycemia. - ANSWER ✔ d. Closely monitor the blood glucose
level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
When a client who has taken an oral antidiabetic agent vomits, the practical
nurse (PN) should monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of
hypoglycemia.
13.An older adult client has developed a urinary tract infection and has
antibiotics prescribed. Which instruction is most crucial to reinforce to
prevent recurrence of the infection?
a. You may take half of the prescribed dose once the symptoms resolve.
b. Once symptoms resolve, it is not necessary to continue taking the
medication.
, c. Gradually reduce the drug amount taken to prevent antibiotic
resistance.
d. Continue taking the antibiotics until the entire prescription is
completed. - ANSWER ✔ d. Continue taking the antibiotics until the
entire prescription is completed.
In order to prevent recurrence of the infection, it is important to take all
prescribed doses. Reducing the amount of drug taken could actually increase
the risk of recurrence.
14.An older client verbalizes to the practical nurse (PN) that he feels a lack of
control over his life. The family member who came with the client states that
his father has been exhibiting increased passive behavior and an
unwillingness to participate in family functions. What word best describes
this client's behavior?
a. Anxiety
b. Fear
c. Altered self-esteem
d. Powerlessness - ANSWER ✔ d. Powerlessness
The behaviors that the client is exhibiting are most characteristic of
powerlessness and could affect the client's safety.
15.The practical nurse (PN) educates the older client about a new hearing aid.
Which instruction is the most important for the PN to give the client about
the care of the new hearing aid?
a. Instruct client to keep extra batteries on hand.
b. Tell client to clean it with a toothpick or pipe cleaner.
c. Inform client to remove it before bathing.
d. Turn it off and remove the battery when not in use. - ANSWER ✔ c.
Inform client to remove it before bathing.
Hearing aids should not be used in and around water; therefore, the client
should remove his hearing aid for bathing.
16.The client has end-stage Alzheimer disease and is admitted into hospice
care. Which focus does the nurse expect to note in the plan of care?
STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027 ACCURATE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
1. The practical nurse (PN) is implementing a self-medication program for an
older resident who is newly admitted to an assisted living community.
Which actions should the PN implement to provide the resident ways to
maintain safe medication administration? (select all that apply.) - ANSWER
✔ A. Locked medication storage in the client's room.
B. Medication Administration Record (MAR).
D. Delivery of adequate supply of medication.
E. List of findings indicating medication effectiveness.
2. Which age-related changes in the cardiovascular system should the practical
nurse (PN) document when evaluating an older client? (select all that apply.)
- ANSWER ✔ C. Cardiac murmurs.
D. Widening pulse pressure.
3. An older client who recently moved into an assisted living community
refuses to eat or join any activities. When evaluating the client further, what
should the practical nurse (PN) focus on during the next examination? -
ANSWER ✔ Depression.
4. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for an elderly client with functional
incontinence who lives in an assisted living community. The client is alert,
mildly confused, and can self ambulate. Which nursing intervention should
the PN implement? - ANSWER ✔ Offer assistance with toileting q2 hours.
,5. The healthcare provider prescribes a new medication, atrovastatin (lipitor),
for an older client who arrives at the clinic for an annual physical
examination. What common side effect should the practical nurse (PN)
advise the client to observe for with this medication? - ANSWER ✔
Headaches.
6. The practical nurse (PN) 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 ✔ Report abdominal distention, constipation, or
any nausea and vomiting to the health care provider.
7. An older client asks the practical nurse (PN) how he can reduce his incidents
of hemorrhoidal flare ups. What information should the PN offer the client
to prevent rectal discomfort?( Select all that apply.) - ANSWER ✔ A.
Increase fiber and liquids in the diet to help prevent constipation and
straining.
C. Use a therapeutic cushion or frequent repositioning for periods of prolonged
sitting.
D. Take frequent warm sitz baths and use non-abrasive tissue that can tramatize
tissues.
E. Establish bowel habits by scheduling time where the client is not rushed to
defecate daily.
8. An older female client is recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility after
a total hip replacement and asks the practical nurse (PN) if she broke her hip
because she is old. How should the PN best respond? - ANSWER ✔ Older
women commonly lose bone calcium which increases the risk of fracture.
9. An older client is admitted a preliminary diagnosis of Addison's Disease.
Which skin finding should the practical nurse (PN) document that is typical
with Addison's? - ANSWER ✔ Hyperpigmentation.
10.An older female client recently moved to an assisted living facility. The
family explain to the practical nurse (PN) that the client is unmanageable
and always confused, disoriented, and depressed. The client asks the PN
repeatedly, "Where am I?" How should the PN respond? - ANSWER ✔
Explain that she is in a new home called an assisted living community.
,11.The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is having an exacerbation
of congestive heart failure (CHF). The PN should place the client in which
position?
a. Trendelenburg position
b. Lateral lying, with the legs slightly bent
c. Upright, with the legs in a dependent position
d. Semi-Fowler, with the legs elevated above the heart - ANSWER ✔
c. Upright, with the legs in a dependent position
Clients with congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema should be positioned
upright, preferably with the legs dangling over the side of the bed, to decrease
venous return and lung congestion.
12.The client complains of nausea and vomiting about 1 hour after taking the
morning dose of an oral antidiabetic agent, glyburide. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
a. Administer an additional dose of glyburide.
b. Take the client's blood glucose levels and administer insulin
subcutaneously.
c. Check the blood glucose level and monitor for signs of
hyperglycemia.
d. Closely monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of
hypoglycemia. - ANSWER ✔ d. Closely monitor the blood glucose
level and watch for signs of hypoglycemia.
When a client who has taken an oral antidiabetic agent vomits, the practical
nurse (PN) should monitor the blood glucose level and watch for signs of
hypoglycemia.
13.An older adult client has developed a urinary tract infection and has
antibiotics prescribed. Which instruction is most crucial to reinforce to
prevent recurrence of the infection?
a. You may take half of the prescribed dose once the symptoms resolve.
b. Once symptoms resolve, it is not necessary to continue taking the
medication.
, c. Gradually reduce the drug amount taken to prevent antibiotic
resistance.
d. Continue taking the antibiotics until the entire prescription is
completed. - ANSWER ✔ d. Continue taking the antibiotics until the
entire prescription is completed.
In order to prevent recurrence of the infection, it is important to take all
prescribed doses. Reducing the amount of drug taken could actually increase
the risk of recurrence.
14.An older client verbalizes to the practical nurse (PN) that he feels a lack of
control over his life. The family member who came with the client states that
his father has been exhibiting increased passive behavior and an
unwillingness to participate in family functions. What word best describes
this client's behavior?
a. Anxiety
b. Fear
c. Altered self-esteem
d. Powerlessness - ANSWER ✔ d. Powerlessness
The behaviors that the client is exhibiting are most characteristic of
powerlessness and could affect the client's safety.
15.The practical nurse (PN) educates the older client about a new hearing aid.
Which instruction is the most important for the PN to give the client about
the care of the new hearing aid?
a. Instruct client to keep extra batteries on hand.
b. Tell client to clean it with a toothpick or pipe cleaner.
c. Inform client to remove it before bathing.
d. Turn it off and remove the battery when not in use. - ANSWER ✔ c.
Inform client to remove it before bathing.
Hearing aids should not be used in and around water; therefore, the client
should remove his hearing aid for bathing.
16.The client has end-stage Alzheimer disease and is admitted into hospice
care. Which focus does the nurse expect to note in the plan of care?
