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DM G+1 EXAM | 157 QUESTIONS Diabetes Mellitus Test with
Answers & Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology
of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to
absolute insulin deficiency
C. Increased hepatic glucose production only
D. Impaired glucagon secretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune process destroying
beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency.
2. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is primarily characterized by:
A. Autoimmune beta-cell destruction
B. Insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell dysfunction
C. Complete absence of insulin receptors
D. Excessive glucagon secretion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 involves insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency.
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3. The diagnostic criterion for diabetes mellitus according to
the American Diabetes Association is a fasting plasma glucose
of:
A. ≥100 mg/dL
B. ≥126 mg/dL
C. ≥140 mg/dL
D. ≥200 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions
indicates DM.
4. A hemoglobin A1c of 6.5% or higher is diagnostic of
diabetes mellitus.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: A1c ≥6.5% is diagnostic.
5. Which of the following is a classic symptom of
hyperglycemia?
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A. Tremors and sweating
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Bradycardia
D. Cold, clammy skin
Answer: B
Rationale: The three Ps: polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia.
6. A client with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 55
mg/dL and is awake. Which action is appropriate?
A. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15
minutes
B. Administer insulin
C. Give a high-protein snack only
D. Wait and reassess in 1 hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Rule of 15 for hypoglycemia.
7. Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
B. Fruity breath and deep breathing
C. Polyuria and dry skin
D. Hot, dry skin
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Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes sympathetic and
neuroglycopenic symptoms.
8. The first-line oral medication for type 2 diabetes is usually:
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin is first-line unless contraindicated.
9. Metformin primarily lowers blood glucose by:
A. Increasing insulin secretion
B. Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
C. Slowing gastric emptying
D. Increasing urinary glucose excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and
improves sensitivity.
DM G+1 EXAM | 157 QUESTIONS Diabetes Mellitus Test with
Answers & Rationales
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology
of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
A. Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
B. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to
absolute insulin deficiency
C. Increased hepatic glucose production only
D. Impaired glucagon secretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 DM is an autoimmune process destroying
beta cells, causing absolute insulin deficiency.
2. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is primarily characterized by:
A. Autoimmune beta-cell destruction
B. Insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell dysfunction
C. Complete absence of insulin receptors
D. Excessive glucagon secretion only
Answer: B
Rationale: Type 2 involves insulin resistance and relative insulin
deficiency.
, Page |2
3. The diagnostic criterion for diabetes mellitus according to
the American Diabetes Association is a fasting plasma glucose
of:
A. ≥100 mg/dL
B. ≥126 mg/dL
C. ≥140 mg/dL
D. ≥200 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two occasions
indicates DM.
4. A hemoglobin A1c of 6.5% or higher is diagnostic of
diabetes mellitus.
A. True
B. False
Answer: A
Rationale: A1c ≥6.5% is diagnostic.
5. Which of the following is a classic symptom of
hyperglycemia?
, Page |3
A. Tremors and sweating
B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
C. Bradycardia
D. Cold, clammy skin
Answer: B
Rationale: The three Ps: polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia.
6. A client with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 55
mg/dL and is awake. Which action is appropriate?
A. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15
minutes
B. Administer insulin
C. Give a high-protein snack only
D. Wait and reassess in 1 hour
Answer: A
Rationale: Rule of 15 for hypoglycemia.
7. Which of the following is a sign of hypoglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
B. Fruity breath and deep breathing
C. Polyuria and dry skin
D. Hot, dry skin
, Page |4
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes sympathetic and
neuroglycopenic symptoms.
8. The first-line oral medication for type 2 diabetes is usually:
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin is first-line unless contraindicated.
9. Metformin primarily lowers blood glucose by:
A. Increasing insulin secretion
B. Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
C. Slowing gastric emptying
D. Increasing urinary glucose excretion
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and
improves sensitivity.
