SOLUTIONS FOR
DIABETES PRACTICE
QUESTIONS 2022/2023
ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SUCCESS A+
,"1. A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what ""type 2"" means in
relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes
primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the pt is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin
b. there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells
d. the insulin precursor that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver
Answer B - Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient
for the body's needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other information
describes the physiology of type 1 diabetes
The benefits of using an insulin pump include all of the following except: "a. By continuously providing
insulin they eliminate the need for injections of insulin
b. They simplify management of blood sugar and often improve A1C
c. They enable exercise without compensatory carbohydrate consumption
d. They help with weight loss
D: Using an insulin pump has many advantages, including fewer dramatic swings in blood glucose
levels, increased flexibility about diet, and improved accuracy of insulin doses and delivery; however,
the use of an insulin pump has been associated with weight gain.
A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes, asks the nurse what "type 2" means. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
"1. ""With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes inflamed."
2. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased and insulin resistance is increased."
3. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin."
4. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces autoantibodies that destroy b-cells in the pancreas.""
"Right Answer: 2
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pancreas is reduced and/or the
cells of the body become resistant to insulin"
"A client is admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Which findings is the
nurse most likely to observe in this client? Select all that apply:
,"1. Excessive thirst
2. Weight gain
3. Constipation
4. Excessive hunger
5. Urine retention
6. Frequent, high-volume urination
1, 4, 6 Rationale: Classic signs of diabetes mellitus include polydipsia (excessive thirst),
polyphagia (excessive hunger), and polyuria (excessive urination). Because the body is starving from
the lack of glucose the cells are using for energy, the client has weight loss, not weight gain. Clients
with diabetes mellitus usually don't present with constipation. Urine retention is only a problem is the
patient has another renal-related condition.
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive state, and a diagnosis of
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome is made. The nurse would immediately prepare to
initiate which of the following anticipated physician's prescriptions?
1. Endotracheal intubation
2. 100 units of NPH insulin
3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline
4. Intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate
CORRECT ANSWER: 3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline Rationale: The primary goal of treatment
is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) is to rehydrate the client to restore the
fluid volume and to correct electrolyte deficiency. Intravenous fluid replacement is similar to that
administered in diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) and begins with IV infusion of normal saline. Regular
insulin, not NPH insulin, would be administered. The use of sodium bicarbonate to correct acidosis is
avoided because it can precipitate a further drop in serum potassium levels. Intubation and
mechanical ventilation are not required to treat HHNS.
"A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse instructs the client that the most
likely time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
A) 2-4 hours after administration
B) 4-12 hours after administration
C) 16-18 hours after administration
D) 18-24 hours after administration
, B: Rationale: Humulin is an intermediate acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it peaks in 4-
12 hours, and its duration is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic reactions to insulin are most likely to occur during
the peak time.
"A client who is started on metformin and glyburide would have initially presented with which
symptoms?
"a. Polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss
b. weight gain, tiredness, & bradycardia
c. irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia
d. diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss
"a. Polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss". Symptoms of hyperglycemia include polydipsia, polyuria,
and weight loss. Metformin and sulfonylureas are commonly ordered medications.
Weight gain, tiredness, and bradycardia are symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia are symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss."
A client with diabetes mellitus demonstrates acute anxiety when first admitted for the treatment of
hyperglycemia. The most appropriate intervention to decrease the client's anxiety would be to
1. administer a sedative
2. make sure the client knows all the correct medical terms to understand what is happening
3. ignore the signs and symptoms of anxiety so that they will soon disappear
4. convey empathy, trust, and respect toward the client
4. The most appropriate intervention is to address the client’s feelings related to the anxiety
A client with diabetes melllitus has a blood glucose of 644mg/dl. The nurse interprets that this client is
most at risk of developing which type of acid base imbalance?
"A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis"
DIABETES PRACTICE
QUESTIONS 2022/2023
ALL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
SUCCESS A+
,"1. A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what ""type 2"" means in
relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes
primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the pt is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin
b. there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells
d. the insulin precursor that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver
Answer B - Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient
for the body's needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other information
describes the physiology of type 1 diabetes
The benefits of using an insulin pump include all of the following except: "a. By continuously providing
insulin they eliminate the need for injections of insulin
b. They simplify management of blood sugar and often improve A1C
c. They enable exercise without compensatory carbohydrate consumption
d. They help with weight loss
D: Using an insulin pump has many advantages, including fewer dramatic swings in blood glucose
levels, increased flexibility about diet, and improved accuracy of insulin doses and delivery; however,
the use of an insulin pump has been associated with weight gain.
A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes, asks the nurse what "type 2" means. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
"1. ""With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes inflamed."
2. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased and insulin resistance is increased."
3. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin."
4. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces autoantibodies that destroy b-cells in the pancreas.""
"Right Answer: 2
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pancreas is reduced and/or the
cells of the body become resistant to insulin"
"A client is admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Which findings is the
nurse most likely to observe in this client? Select all that apply:
,"1. Excessive thirst
2. Weight gain
3. Constipation
4. Excessive hunger
5. Urine retention
6. Frequent, high-volume urination
1, 4, 6 Rationale: Classic signs of diabetes mellitus include polydipsia (excessive thirst),
polyphagia (excessive hunger), and polyuria (excessive urination). Because the body is starving from
the lack of glucose the cells are using for energy, the client has weight loss, not weight gain. Clients
with diabetes mellitus usually don't present with constipation. Urine retention is only a problem is the
patient has another renal-related condition.
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive state, and a diagnosis of
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome is made. The nurse would immediately prepare to
initiate which of the following anticipated physician's prescriptions?
1. Endotracheal intubation
2. 100 units of NPH insulin
3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline
4. Intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate
CORRECT ANSWER: 3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline Rationale: The primary goal of treatment
is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) is to rehydrate the client to restore the
fluid volume and to correct electrolyte deficiency. Intravenous fluid replacement is similar to that
administered in diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) and begins with IV infusion of normal saline. Regular
insulin, not NPH insulin, would be administered. The use of sodium bicarbonate to correct acidosis is
avoided because it can precipitate a further drop in serum potassium levels. Intubation and
mechanical ventilation are not required to treat HHNS.
"A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse instructs the client that the most
likely time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
A) 2-4 hours after administration
B) 4-12 hours after administration
C) 16-18 hours after administration
D) 18-24 hours after administration
, B: Rationale: Humulin is an intermediate acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it peaks in 4-
12 hours, and its duration is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic reactions to insulin are most likely to occur during
the peak time.
"A client who is started on metformin and glyburide would have initially presented with which
symptoms?
"a. Polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss
b. weight gain, tiredness, & bradycardia
c. irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia
d. diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss
"a. Polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss". Symptoms of hyperglycemia include polydipsia, polyuria,
and weight loss. Metformin and sulfonylureas are commonly ordered medications.
Weight gain, tiredness, and bradycardia are symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia are symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss."
A client with diabetes mellitus demonstrates acute anxiety when first admitted for the treatment of
hyperglycemia. The most appropriate intervention to decrease the client's anxiety would be to
1. administer a sedative
2. make sure the client knows all the correct medical terms to understand what is happening
3. ignore the signs and symptoms of anxiety so that they will soon disappear
4. convey empathy, trust, and respect toward the client
4. The most appropriate intervention is to address the client’s feelings related to the anxiety
A client with diabetes melllitus has a blood glucose of 644mg/dl. The nurse interprets that this client is
most at risk of developing which type of acid base imbalance?
"A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory Acidosis
D. Respiratory Alkalosis"
