GESTATIONAL DIABETES COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
●● What maternal age increases the risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: Older than 25 years.
●● What previous pregnancy history increases the risk for gestational
diabetes?
Answer: A previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes.
●● What previous newborn history increases the risk for gestational
diabetes?
Answer: Previously delivering a macrosomic (large) baby.
●● What medical condition increases the risk for gestational diabetes
due to insulin resistance?
Answer: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
●● What family history increases the risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: Having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with diabetes.
, ●● Which ethnic groups are at higher risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and
Pacific Islander.
●● Why are pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes between
24 and 28 weeks?
Answer: Placental hormones peak and maternal insulin resistance
increases during this time.
●● What is the purpose of the Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)?
Answer: To screen pregnant patients for gestational diabetes.
●● What is the purpose of the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)?
Answer: To diagnose gestational diabetes after an abnormal GCT.
●● Is fasting required before the Glucose Challenge Test?
Answer: No. The patient should eat normally.
●● Why should patients eat normally before the GCT?
Answer: Fasting may cause a false-positive result.
●● Is fasting required before the Glucose Tolerance Test?
Answer: Yes. An overnight fast of 8-12 hours is required.
EXAM STUDY GUIDE WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
●● What maternal age increases the risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: Older than 25 years.
●● What previous pregnancy history increases the risk for gestational
diabetes?
Answer: A previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes.
●● What previous newborn history increases the risk for gestational
diabetes?
Answer: Previously delivering a macrosomic (large) baby.
●● What medical condition increases the risk for gestational diabetes
due to insulin resistance?
Answer: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
●● What family history increases the risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: Having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with diabetes.
, ●● Which ethnic groups are at higher risk for gestational diabetes?
Answer: African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and
Pacific Islander.
●● Why are pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes between
24 and 28 weeks?
Answer: Placental hormones peak and maternal insulin resistance
increases during this time.
●● What is the purpose of the Glucose Challenge Test (GCT)?
Answer: To screen pregnant patients for gestational diabetes.
●● What is the purpose of the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)?
Answer: To diagnose gestational diabetes after an abnormal GCT.
●● Is fasting required before the Glucose Challenge Test?
Answer: No. The patient should eat normally.
●● Why should patients eat normally before the GCT?
Answer: Fasting may cause a false-positive result.
●● Is fasting required before the Glucose Tolerance Test?
Answer: Yes. An overnight fast of 8-12 hours is required.
