Nursing 354 Diabetes Mellitus Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of diabetes mellitus is characterized by autoimmune
destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
B. Gestational diabetes mellitus
C. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
D. Prediabetes
Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, causing an absolute deficiency of insulin.
2. Which hormone lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Insulin
Answer: Insulin
,Rationale: Insulin promotes glucose uptake by cells and storage of glucose as
glycogen, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hyperglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tremors
C. Polyuria and polydipsia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Polyuria and polydipsia
Rationale: Excess glucose in the blood causes osmotic diuresis, resulting in
increased urination and compensatory thirst.
4. A patient with diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, and other adrenergic and neurologic
symptoms are classic manifestations of low blood glucose.
5. Which blood test provides an estimate of average blood glucose over
approximately the previous 2–3 months?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random glucose
,C. Oral glucose tolerance test
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the percentage of glycated hemoglobin and
provides an estimate of average glucose exposure over approximately 2–3
months.
6. Which symptom is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus?
A. Increased salivation
B. Increased urination
C. Decreased thirst
D. Weight gain in all untreated patients
Answer: Increased urination
Rationale: Hyperglycemia causes glucose to spill into the urine, pulling water
with it and producing polyuria.
7. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. A patient with seasonal allergies
B. A patient with a healed fracture
C. A patient with obesity and physical inactivity
D. A patient with myopia
Answer: A patient with obesity and physical inactivity
Rationale: Excess adiposity and physical inactivity are important modifiable risk
factors for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
8. Which statement by a patient demonstrates correct understanding of
diabetes management?
, A. “I only need to check my glucose when I feel sick.”
B. “I should stop my medication when my glucose improves.”
C. “I need to follow my prescribed meal plan, medications, and monitoring
schedule.”
D. “Exercise is unsafe for everyone with diabetes.”
Answer: “I need to follow my prescribed meal plan, medications, and
monitoring schedule.”
Rationale: Diabetes management requires coordinated attention to nutrition,
physical activity, medications, glucose monitoring, and follow-up care.
9. Which insulin has the most rapid onset of action?
A. NPH insulin
B. Regular insulin
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Answer: Insulin lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin designed to begin lowering
blood glucose shortly after administration.
10.Which insulin is classified as a long-acting basal insulin?
A. Regular insulin
B. Insulin lispro
C. NPH insulin
D. Insulin glargine
Answer: Insulin glargine
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin that provides relatively
steady insulin coverage over an extended period.
Exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which type of diabetes mellitus is characterized by autoimmune
destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
A. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
B. Gestational diabetes mellitus
C. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
D. Prediabetes
Answer: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, causing an absolute deficiency of insulin.
2. Which hormone lowers blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Epinephrine
D. Insulin
Answer: Insulin
,Rationale: Insulin promotes glucose uptake by cells and storage of glucose as
glycogen, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.
3. Which assessment finding is most characteristic of hyperglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tremors
C. Polyuria and polydipsia
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Polyuria and polydipsia
Rationale: Excess glucose in the blood causes osmotic diuresis, resulting in
increased urination and compensatory thirst.
4. A patient with diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and confusion. Which
condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, and other adrenergic and neurologic
symptoms are classic manifestations of low blood glucose.
5. Which blood test provides an estimate of average blood glucose over
approximately the previous 2–3 months?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random glucose
,C. Oral glucose tolerance test
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the percentage of glycated hemoglobin and
provides an estimate of average glucose exposure over approximately 2–3
months.
6. Which symptom is commonly associated with diabetes mellitus?
A. Increased salivation
B. Increased urination
C. Decreased thirst
D. Weight gain in all untreated patients
Answer: Increased urination
Rationale: Hyperglycemia causes glucose to spill into the urine, pulling water
with it and producing polyuria.
7. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus?
A. A patient with seasonal allergies
B. A patient with a healed fracture
C. A patient with obesity and physical inactivity
D. A patient with myopia
Answer: A patient with obesity and physical inactivity
Rationale: Excess adiposity and physical inactivity are important modifiable risk
factors for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
8. Which statement by a patient demonstrates correct understanding of
diabetes management?
, A. “I only need to check my glucose when I feel sick.”
B. “I should stop my medication when my glucose improves.”
C. “I need to follow my prescribed meal plan, medications, and monitoring
schedule.”
D. “Exercise is unsafe for everyone with diabetes.”
Answer: “I need to follow my prescribed meal plan, medications, and
monitoring schedule.”
Rationale: Diabetes management requires coordinated attention to nutrition,
physical activity, medications, glucose monitoring, and follow-up care.
9. Which insulin has the most rapid onset of action?
A. NPH insulin
B. Regular insulin
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Answer: Insulin lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin designed to begin lowering
blood glucose shortly after administration.
10.Which insulin is classified as a long-acting basal insulin?
A. Regular insulin
B. Insulin lispro
C. NPH insulin
D. Insulin glargine
Answer: Insulin glargine
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin that provides relatively
steady insulin coverage over an extended period.
