NURSES' GUIDE TO TEACHING
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT,
SECOND EDITION
2ND EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RITA GIROUARD
MERTIG
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — How Insulin Works
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A client with newly diagnosed type 1️ diabetes asks why insulin
is needed when they “still make some energy from food.” The
nurse explains that without enough insulin, glucose cannot
effectively move into muscle and fat cells for use as energy.
Which response by the client shows correct understanding?
,Options
A. “Insulin helps glucose enter cells so the body can use it for
energy.”
B. “Insulin is only needed when blood glucose is already low.”
C. “Insulin prevents all glucose from being absorbed from food.”
D. “Insulin works mainly by making the kidneys remove
glucose.”
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct Answer: Insulin acts like a key that helps glucose
move from the blood into cells, especially muscle and fat cells,
where it can be used for energy or stored. This is the core
physiologic role of insulin and is essential teaching for
understanding diabetes self-management.
B: Insulin is not used only for hypoglycemia; it is needed to
lower and regulate elevated blood glucose and support normal
metabolism.
C: Insulin does not stop all glucose absorption from food; it
helps the body use absorbed glucose appropriately.
D: The kidneys may excrete glucose when blood levels are
very high, but that is not insulin’s main function.
Teaching Point
Insulin moves glucose into cells so it can be used for energy.
,Citation
Mertig, R. G. (201️9). Nurses' Guide to Teaching Diabetes Self-
Management (2nd ed.). Ch. 1️.
2⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — How Insulin Works
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A client with type 1️ diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and
hunger before lunch after taking morning insulin and skipping
breakfast. Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
Options
A. The client is likely experiencing hypoglycemia because insulin
was taken without adequate food.
B. The client is likely experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis from too
much insulin.
C. The client is likely experiencing hyperglycemia from
insufficient glucose intake.
D. The symptoms are unrelated to blood glucose changes.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct Answer: Shakiness, sweating, and hunger are classic
hypoglycemia cues, especially when insulin is taken and food is
delayed or missed. This is a priority teaching issue because
insulin and carbohydrate intake must be matched to reduce
, risk.
B: DKA is associated with insulin deficiency, not too much
insulin, and typically causes dehydration, abdominal pain, and
fruity breath.
C: Hyperglycemia usually causes polyuria, polydipsia,
fatigue, and blurred vision rather than adrenergic symptoms.
D: The symptoms strongly suggest a blood glucose problem
and should not be dismissed.
Teaching Point
Insulin without food can cause hypoglycemia.
Citation
Mertig, R. G. (201️9). Nurses' Guide to Teaching Diabetes Self-
Management (2nd ed.). Ch. 1️.
3️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — Classification of Diabetes
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A 1️7-year-old client presents with weight loss, polyuria, and
ketones in the urine. The parent asks why the provider suspects
type 1️ diabetes rather than type 2 diabetes. What is the best
response by the nurse?
Options
A. “Type 1️ diabetes often develops when the pancreas
produces little or no insulin.”
B. “Type 1️ diabetes is caused only by eating too much sugar.”
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT,
SECOND EDITION
2ND EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)RITA GIROUARD
MERTIG
TEST BANK
1️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — How Insulin Works
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A client with newly diagnosed type 1️ diabetes asks why insulin
is needed when they “still make some energy from food.” The
nurse explains that without enough insulin, glucose cannot
effectively move into muscle and fat cells for use as energy.
Which response by the client shows correct understanding?
,Options
A. “Insulin helps glucose enter cells so the body can use it for
energy.”
B. “Insulin is only needed when blood glucose is already low.”
C. “Insulin prevents all glucose from being absorbed from food.”
D. “Insulin works mainly by making the kidneys remove
glucose.”
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct Answer: Insulin acts like a key that helps glucose
move from the blood into cells, especially muscle and fat cells,
where it can be used for energy or stored. This is the core
physiologic role of insulin and is essential teaching for
understanding diabetes self-management.
B: Insulin is not used only for hypoglycemia; it is needed to
lower and regulate elevated blood glucose and support normal
metabolism.
C: Insulin does not stop all glucose absorption from food; it
helps the body use absorbed glucose appropriately.
D: The kidneys may excrete glucose when blood levels are
very high, but that is not insulin’s main function.
Teaching Point
Insulin moves glucose into cells so it can be used for energy.
,Citation
Mertig, R. G. (201️9). Nurses' Guide to Teaching Diabetes Self-
Management (2nd ed.). Ch. 1️.
2⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — How Insulin Works
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A client with type 1️ diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and
hunger before lunch after taking morning insulin and skipping
breakfast. Which interpretation by the nurse is most accurate?
Options
A. The client is likely experiencing hypoglycemia because insulin
was taken without adequate food.
B. The client is likely experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis from too
much insulin.
C. The client is likely experiencing hyperglycemia from
insufficient glucose intake.
D. The symptoms are unrelated to blood glucose changes.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct Answer: Shakiness, sweating, and hunger are classic
hypoglycemia cues, especially when insulin is taken and food is
delayed or missed. This is a priority teaching issue because
insulin and carbohydrate intake must be matched to reduce
, risk.
B: DKA is associated with insulin deficiency, not too much
insulin, and typically causes dehydration, abdominal pain, and
fruity breath.
C: Hyperglycemia usually causes polyuria, polydipsia,
fatigue, and blurred vision rather than adrenergic symptoms.
D: The symptoms strongly suggest a blood glucose problem
and should not be dismissed.
Teaching Point
Insulin without food can cause hypoglycemia.
Citation
Mertig, R. G. (201️9). Nurses' Guide to Teaching Diabetes Self-
Management (2nd ed.). Ch. 1️.
3️⃣ Reference
Ch. 1 — Diabetes: The Basics — Classification of Diabetes
NCLEX-Level Question Stem
A 1️7-year-old client presents with weight loss, polyuria, and
ketones in the urine. The parent asks why the provider suspects
type 1️ diabetes rather than type 2 diabetes. What is the best
response by the nurse?
Options
A. “Type 1️ diabetes often develops when the pancreas
produces little or no insulin.”
B. “Type 1️ diabetes is caused only by eating too much sugar.”
