Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Type 2:
Comprehensive Study Guide and
Examination Review
1. Which statement by a nurse to a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is correct?
Insulin is not used to control blood glucose in patients with
a. type 2 diabetes.
b Complications of type 2 diabetes are less serious than those
. of type 1 diabetes.
Changes in diet and exercise may control blood glucose
c. levels in type 2 diabetes.
d Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed when the patient is .
admitted with a hyperglycemic coma.
ANS: C
For some patients with type 2 diabetes, changes in lifestyle are sufficient to achieve blood
glucose control. Insulin is frequently used for type 2 diabetes, complications are equally severe
as for type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed with routine laboratory testing
or after a patient develops complications such as frequent yeast infections.
2. A 48-year-old male patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level
of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L). The nurse will plan to teach the patient about
a. self-monitoring of blood glucose.
,b
. using low doses of regular insulin.
c. lifestyle changes to lower blood glucose.
d
. effects of oral hypoglycemic medications.
ANS: C
The patient’s impaired fasting glucose indicates prediabetes, and the patient should be
counseled about lifestyle changes to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. The patient
with prediabetes does not require insulin or oral hypoglycemics for glucose control and does
not need to self-monitor blood glucose.
3. A 28-year-old male patient with type 1 diabetes reports how he manages his exercise and
glucose control. Which behavior indicates that the nurse should implement additional
teaching?
The patient always carries hard candies when engaging in
a. exercise.
b The patient goes for a vigorous walk when his glucose is .
200 mg/dL.
The patient has a peanut butter sandwich before going for a
c. bicycle ride.
,d The patient increases daily exercise when ketones are .
present in the urine.
ANS: D
When the patient is ketotic, exercise may result in an increase in blood glucose level. Type 1
diabetic patients should be taught to avoid exercise when ketosis is present. The other
statements are correct.
4. The nurse is assessing a 22-year-old patient experiencing the onset of symptoms of type 1
diabetes. Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?
a. “Are you anorexic?”
b
. “Is your urine dark colored?”
c. “Have you lost weight lately?”
d
. “Do you crave sugary drinks?”
ANS: C
Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb glucose and starts to break
down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty but does not necessarily crave sugar-
containing fluids. Increased appetite is a classic symptom of type 1 diabetes. With the classic
symptom of polyuria, urine will be very dilute.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a follow-up visit in the clinic several months
from now. Which test will the nurse schedule to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for the
patient?
a. Urine dipstick for glucose
, b
. Oral glucose tolerance test
c. Fasting blood glucose level
d
. Glycosylated hemoglobin level
ANS: D
The glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C or HbA1C) test shows the overall control of glucose over 90
to 120 days. A fasting blood level indicates only the glucose level at one time. Urine glucose
testing is not an accurate reflection of blood glucose level and does not reflect the glucose over
a prolonged time. Oral glucose tolerance testing is done to diagnose diabetes, but is not used
for monitoring glucose control once diabetes has been diagnosed.
6. A 55-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes has a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced
nutrition: more than body requirements. Which goal is most important for this patient?
The patient will reach a glycosylated hemoglobin level of
a. less than 7%.
b The patient will follow a diet and exercise plan that results .
in weight loss.
The patient will choose a diet that distributes calories
c. throughout the day.
Comprehensive Study Guide and
Examination Review
1. Which statement by a nurse to a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is correct?
Insulin is not used to control blood glucose in patients with
a. type 2 diabetes.
b Complications of type 2 diabetes are less serious than those
. of type 1 diabetes.
Changes in diet and exercise may control blood glucose
c. levels in type 2 diabetes.
d Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed when the patient is .
admitted with a hyperglycemic coma.
ANS: C
For some patients with type 2 diabetes, changes in lifestyle are sufficient to achieve blood
glucose control. Insulin is frequently used for type 2 diabetes, complications are equally severe
as for type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed with routine laboratory testing
or after a patient develops complications such as frequent yeast infections.
2. A 48-year-old male patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level
of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L). The nurse will plan to teach the patient about
a. self-monitoring of blood glucose.
,b
. using low doses of regular insulin.
c. lifestyle changes to lower blood glucose.
d
. effects of oral hypoglycemic medications.
ANS: C
The patient’s impaired fasting glucose indicates prediabetes, and the patient should be
counseled about lifestyle changes to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. The patient
with prediabetes does not require insulin or oral hypoglycemics for glucose control and does
not need to self-monitor blood glucose.
3. A 28-year-old male patient with type 1 diabetes reports how he manages his exercise and
glucose control. Which behavior indicates that the nurse should implement additional
teaching?
The patient always carries hard candies when engaging in
a. exercise.
b The patient goes for a vigorous walk when his glucose is .
200 mg/dL.
The patient has a peanut butter sandwich before going for a
c. bicycle ride.
,d The patient increases daily exercise when ketones are .
present in the urine.
ANS: D
When the patient is ketotic, exercise may result in an increase in blood glucose level. Type 1
diabetic patients should be taught to avoid exercise when ketosis is present. The other
statements are correct.
4. The nurse is assessing a 22-year-old patient experiencing the onset of symptoms of type 1
diabetes. Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?
a. “Are you anorexic?”
b
. “Is your urine dark colored?”
c. “Have you lost weight lately?”
d
. “Do you crave sugary drinks?”
ANS: C
Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb glucose and starts to break
down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty but does not necessarily crave sugar-
containing fluids. Increased appetite is a classic symptom of type 1 diabetes. With the classic
symptom of polyuria, urine will be very dilute.
5. A patient with type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a follow-up visit in the clinic several months
from now. Which test will the nurse schedule to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for the
patient?
a. Urine dipstick for glucose
, b
. Oral glucose tolerance test
c. Fasting blood glucose level
d
. Glycosylated hemoglobin level
ANS: D
The glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C or HbA1C) test shows the overall control of glucose over 90
to 120 days. A fasting blood level indicates only the glucose level at one time. Urine glucose
testing is not an accurate reflection of blood glucose level and does not reflect the glucose over
a prolonged time. Oral glucose tolerance testing is done to diagnose diabetes, but is not used
for monitoring glucose control once diabetes has been diagnosed.
6. A 55-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes has a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced
nutrition: more than body requirements. Which goal is most important for this patient?
The patient will reach a glycosylated hemoglobin level of
a. less than 7%.
b The patient will follow a diet and exercise plan that results .
in weight loss.
The patient will choose a diet that distributes calories
c. throughout the day.
