,ASU NUR 325 Exam 3 | Health and Illness Concepts I (2026)
Q&A
1. A patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120
mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L). Which statement by the nurse is best?
A) "You will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years."
B) "You are at increased risk for developing diabetes."
C) "The test is normal, and diabetes is not a problem."
D) "You should start insulin therapy immediately."
Correct Answer: "You are at increased risk for developing diabetes."
Rationale: A fasting plasma glucose of 120 mg/dL falls into the category of impaired
fasting glucose (prediabetes), indicating increased risk for developing type 2
diabetes. The patient does not currently meet the criteria for diabetes, but the result
is not normal and requires monitoring and lifestyle modifications.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes calls the clinic with complaints of nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea. It is most important that the nurse advise the patient to:
A) Withhold the regular dose of insulin.
B) Drink cool fluids with high glucose content.
C) Check the blood glucose level every 2 to 4 hours.
D) Use a less strenuous form of exercise than usual until the illness resolves.
Correct Answer: Check the blood glucose level every 2 to 4 hours.
Rationale: During illness, the stress response can increase blood glucose levels, and
the patient is at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Frequent blood glucose
,monitoring is essential to guide insulin management and prevent complications.
Insulin should never be withheld during illness without consulting a healthcare
provider.
3. The nurse plans a class for patients who have newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Which goal is most appropriate?
A) Make all patients responsible for the management of their disease.
B) Involve the family and significant others in the care of these patients.
C) Enable the patients to become active participants in the management of their
disease.
D) Provide the patients with as much information as soon as possible to prevent
complications.
Correct Answer: Enable the patients to become active participants in the
management of their disease.
Rationale: Patient education for chronic conditions like diabetes should empower
patients to take an active role in their own care, promoting self-management and
autonomy. This approach is more effective than simply providing information or
shifting responsibility.
4. A patient with diabetes has an A1C of 9%. Which result will need further
assessment?
A) A1C 9%
B) BP 126/80 mmHg
C) FBG 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L)
D) LDL cholesterol 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: A1C 9%
, Rationale: An A1C of 9% indicates poor glycemic control, as the target for most
patients with diabetes is less than 7%. This result requires further assessment and
intervention to adjust the treatment plan. The other values are within acceptable
ranges.
5. The nurse knows that fatigue may be an underlying symptom of which condition in
a female patient?
A) Ischemia
B) Pneumonia
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Peptic ulcer disease
Correct Answer: Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Fatigue is an atypical symptom of myocardial infarction in women.
Women often present with non-classic symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and
shortness of breath, rather than the typical chest pain seen in men.
6. A patient is questioning the nurse about circulation and perfusion. What is the
nurse's best response?
A) Perfusion assists the body by preventing clots and increasing stamina.
B) Perfusion assists the cell by delivering oxygen and removing waste products.
C) Perfusion assists the heart by increasing the cardiac output.
D) Perfusion assists the brain by increasing mental alertness.
Correct Answer: Perfusion assists the cell by delivering oxygen and removing waste
products.
Q&A
1. A patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120
mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L). Which statement by the nurse is best?
A) "You will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years."
B) "You are at increased risk for developing diabetes."
C) "The test is normal, and diabetes is not a problem."
D) "You should start insulin therapy immediately."
Correct Answer: "You are at increased risk for developing diabetes."
Rationale: A fasting plasma glucose of 120 mg/dL falls into the category of impaired
fasting glucose (prediabetes), indicating increased risk for developing type 2
diabetes. The patient does not currently meet the criteria for diabetes, but the result
is not normal and requires monitoring and lifestyle modifications.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes calls the clinic with complaints of nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea. It is most important that the nurse advise the patient to:
A) Withhold the regular dose of insulin.
B) Drink cool fluids with high glucose content.
C) Check the blood glucose level every 2 to 4 hours.
D) Use a less strenuous form of exercise than usual until the illness resolves.
Correct Answer: Check the blood glucose level every 2 to 4 hours.
Rationale: During illness, the stress response can increase blood glucose levels, and
the patient is at risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Frequent blood glucose
,monitoring is essential to guide insulin management and prevent complications.
Insulin should never be withheld during illness without consulting a healthcare
provider.
3. The nurse plans a class for patients who have newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Which goal is most appropriate?
A) Make all patients responsible for the management of their disease.
B) Involve the family and significant others in the care of these patients.
C) Enable the patients to become active participants in the management of their
disease.
D) Provide the patients with as much information as soon as possible to prevent
complications.
Correct Answer: Enable the patients to become active participants in the
management of their disease.
Rationale: Patient education for chronic conditions like diabetes should empower
patients to take an active role in their own care, promoting self-management and
autonomy. This approach is more effective than simply providing information or
shifting responsibility.
4. A patient with diabetes has an A1C of 9%. Which result will need further
assessment?
A) A1C 9%
B) BP 126/80 mmHg
C) FBG 130 mg/dL (7.2 mmol/L)
D) LDL cholesterol 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: A1C 9%
, Rationale: An A1C of 9% indicates poor glycemic control, as the target for most
patients with diabetes is less than 7%. This result requires further assessment and
intervention to adjust the treatment plan. The other values are within acceptable
ranges.
5. The nurse knows that fatigue may be an underlying symptom of which condition in
a female patient?
A) Ischemia
B) Pneumonia
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Peptic ulcer disease
Correct Answer: Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Fatigue is an atypical symptom of myocardial infarction in women.
Women often present with non-classic symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and
shortness of breath, rather than the typical chest pain seen in men.
6. A patient is questioning the nurse about circulation and perfusion. What is the
nurse's best response?
A) Perfusion assists the body by preventing clots and increasing stamina.
B) Perfusion assists the cell by delivering oxygen and removing waste products.
C) Perfusion assists the heart by increasing the cardiac output.
D) Perfusion assists the brain by increasing mental alertness.
Correct Answer: Perfusion assists the cell by delivering oxygen and removing waste
products.
