3 MAXE · 132 SRUN
★ ★
Portage Learning
P Nursing Education · Online Excellence
EST. 2001
A D V A N C I N G H E A LT H C A R E T H R O U G H E D U C AT I O N
NURS 231 Exam 3 — Diabetes Mellitus Complete Study
Guide with Concepts, Definitions, and Nursing
Interventions | Portage Learning
D I A B E T E S M E L L I T US — E X A M 3
INSTITUTION Portage Learning PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing
COURSE CODE NURS 231 COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE NURS 231 Exam 3 — Diabetes
Mellitus Complete Study Guide
with Concepts, Definitions, and
Nursing Interventions | Portage
Learning
TOTAL QUESTIONS 63 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on diabetes mellitus nursing fundamentals.
▸ Topics covered include: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes pathophysiology, acute complications (DKA and
HHS), hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management, insulin therapy, oral antidiabetic agents,
nutrition, exercise, and sick day rules.
▸ All definitions and concepts from the study material are testable content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All diabetes management concepts reflect current evidence-based practice and standards of care.
, SECTION I — DIABETES MELLITUS Questions 1 – 63
1. What is Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin (insulin deficiency) — patient
needs lifelong insulin
B. Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin resistance
C. A condition where the body produces too much insulin
D. A temporary condition that resolves with diet and exercise
CORRECT ANSWER A — Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin (insulin
deficiency) — patient needs lifelong insulin
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Patients with Type 1
diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy for survival. This condition typically
presents in younger individuals and is not associated with obesity.
2. What is an acute complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
B. DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), ketones in urine
C. Hypoglycemia only
D. Hyperglycemia without ketones
CORRECT ANSWER B — DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), ketones in urine
RATIONALE Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus
characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The presence of
ketones in the urine is a hallmark sign of DKA, resulting from the breakdown of
fatty acids due to insulin deficiency.
,3. What is Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin
B. Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin resistance
C. A condition requiring lifelong insulin from diagnosis
D. A condition that only affects children
CORRECT ANSWER B — Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin
resistance
RATIONALE Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency. The pancreatic beta cells cannot keep up with the increased demand
for insulin, leading to hyperglycemia. This condition is strongly associated with
obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and typically presents in individuals over 30 years of
age.
4. What is an acute complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
B. HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
C. Ketosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
CORRECT ANSWER B — HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
RATIONALE Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS) is an acute complication of Type 2
diabetes mellitus characterized by severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolarity, and
dehydration without significant ketosis. HHS typically has a slower onset than
DKA and is associated with profound dehydration and neurological symptoms.
, 5. What population is typically seen with Type 1 diabetes vs Type 2 diabetes?
A. T1 = younger, "thin"; T2 = >30 years, obese, unhealthy
B. T1 = older, obese; T2 = younger, thin
C. Both types occur equally in all age groups
D. T1 = only children; T2 = only adults
CORRECT ANSWER A — T1 = younger, "thin"; T2 = >30 years, obese, unhealthy
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes typically presents in younger individuals who are often lean
("thin") at diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes typically presents in individuals over 30
years of age who are often obese and have lifestyle factors contributing to insulin
resistance. This demographic distinction helps guide diagnosis and treatment
planning.
6. What are the common signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia?
A. 3 P's = polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia; fatigue, weakness, irritability; sudden vision
changes; numbness/tingling in hands/feet; dry skin; slow wound healing; recurrent
infections
B. Only the 3 P's
C. Only fatigue and weakness
D. Only vision changes and numbness
CORRECT ANSWER A — 3 P's = polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia; fatigue, weakness, irritability;
sudden vision changes; numbness/tingling in hands/feet; dry skin; slow
wound healing; recurrent infections
RATIONALE Common signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia include the "3 P's" (polydipsia,
polyuria, polyphagia), fatigue, weakness, irritability, sudden vision changes,
numbness/tingling in hands and feet, dry skin, slow wound healing, and recurrent
infections. These symptoms result from elevated blood glucose levels affecting
multiple body systems.
★ ★
Portage Learning
P Nursing Education · Online Excellence
EST. 2001
A D V A N C I N G H E A LT H C A R E T H R O U G H E D U C AT I O N
NURS 231 Exam 3 — Diabetes Mellitus Complete Study
Guide with Concepts, Definitions, and Nursing
Interventions | Portage Learning
D I A B E T E S M E L L I T US — E X A M 3
INSTITUTION Portage Learning PROGRAM Bachelor of Science in Nursing
COURSE CODE NURS 231 COURSE TITLE Nursing Fundamentals
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE NURS 231 Exam 3 — Diabetes
Mellitus Complete Study Guide
with Concepts, Definitions, and
Nursing Interventions | Portage
Learning
TOTAL QUESTIONS 63 Questions FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on diabetes mellitus nursing fundamentals.
▸ Topics covered include: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes pathophysiology, acute complications (DKA and
HHS), hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia management, insulin therapy, oral antidiabetic agents,
nutrition, exercise, and sick day rules.
▸ All definitions and concepts from the study material are testable content.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for review purposes.
▸ All diabetes management concepts reflect current evidence-based practice and standards of care.
, SECTION I — DIABETES MELLITUS Questions 1 – 63
1. What is Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin (insulin deficiency) — patient
needs lifelong insulin
B. Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin resistance
C. A condition where the body produces too much insulin
D. A temporary condition that resolves with diet and exercise
CORRECT ANSWER A — Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin (insulin
deficiency) — patient needs lifelong insulin
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Patients with Type 1
diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy for survival. This condition typically
presents in younger individuals and is not associated with obesity.
2. What is an acute complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
B. DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), ketones in urine
C. Hypoglycemia only
D. Hyperglycemia without ketones
CORRECT ANSWER B — DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), ketones in urine
RATIONALE Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of Type 1 diabetes mellitus
characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and metabolic acidosis. The presence of
ketones in the urine is a hallmark sign of DKA, resulting from the breakdown of
fatty acids due to insulin deficiency.
,3. What is Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. Destruction of pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin
B. Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin resistance
C. A condition requiring lifelong insulin from diagnosis
D. A condition that only affects children
CORRECT ANSWER B — Beta cells cannot keep up with insulin demand, increased insulin
resistance
RATIONALE Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency. The pancreatic beta cells cannot keep up with the increased demand
for insulin, leading to hyperglycemia. This condition is strongly associated with
obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and typically presents in individuals over 30 years of
age.
4. What is an acute complication of Type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)
B. HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
C. Ketosis
D. Metabolic acidosis
CORRECT ANSWER B — HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State)
RATIONALE Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State (HHS) is an acute complication of Type 2
diabetes mellitus characterized by severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolarity, and
dehydration without significant ketosis. HHS typically has a slower onset than
DKA and is associated with profound dehydration and neurological symptoms.
, 5. What population is typically seen with Type 1 diabetes vs Type 2 diabetes?
A. T1 = younger, "thin"; T2 = >30 years, obese, unhealthy
B. T1 = older, obese; T2 = younger, thin
C. Both types occur equally in all age groups
D. T1 = only children; T2 = only adults
CORRECT ANSWER A — T1 = younger, "thin"; T2 = >30 years, obese, unhealthy
RATIONALE Type 1 diabetes typically presents in younger individuals who are often lean
("thin") at diagnosis. Type 2 diabetes typically presents in individuals over 30
years of age who are often obese and have lifestyle factors contributing to insulin
resistance. This demographic distinction helps guide diagnosis and treatment
planning.
6. What are the common signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia?
A. 3 P's = polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia; fatigue, weakness, irritability; sudden vision
changes; numbness/tingling in hands/feet; dry skin; slow wound healing; recurrent
infections
B. Only the 3 P's
C. Only fatigue and weakness
D. Only vision changes and numbness
CORRECT ANSWER A — 3 P's = polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia; fatigue, weakness, irritability;
sudden vision changes; numbness/tingling in hands/feet; dry skin; slow
wound healing; recurrent infections
RATIONALE Common signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia include the "3 P's" (polydipsia,
polyuria, polyphagia), fatigue, weakness, irritability, sudden vision changes,
numbness/tingling in hands and feet, dry skin, slow wound healing, and recurrent
infections. These symptoms result from elevated blood glucose levels affecting
multiple body systems.
