NSG 3280 Unit 2: NSG 3280 Unit 2 Practice Questions & Answers
1. A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient who has been fasting for 48 hours. Which
sequence of metabolic processes best describes how the body is maintaining blood glucose
stability during this prolonged fasting state?
A. Glycogenesis followed by glycolysis, supported by increased insulin release.
B. Glycogenolysis followed rapidly by gluconeogenesis, initiated by a decrease in insulin and
an increase in glucagon.
C. Lipolysis followed by glycolysis, triggered by parasympathetic nervous system stimulation.
D. Amylin release inhibiting gastric emptying, thus preserving stored glucose.
1. Answer: B
• Rationale: The fasting state utilizes stored nutrients. Glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen
into glucose) and gluconeogenesis (creation of glucose using amino acids/other substances)
occur. Insulin decreases, which triggers lipolysis, and glucagon is released in response to low
blood glucose.
2. A patient with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes experiences severe metabolic stress due to
a massive infection. The nurse anticipates which immediate metabolic response will dominate,
potentially leading to extreme hyperglycemia?
A. Rapid increase in growth hormone production to overcome existing peripheral insulin
resistance.
B. Decreased glucagon release and increased cellular utilization of glucose (Immediate
phase).
C. Increased release of catecholamines and cortisol, leading to gluconeogenesis using
muscle protein stores.
D. Rapid increase in insulin production to overcome existing peripheral insulin resistance.
2. Answer: C
• Rationale: During physiologic stress (immediate phase), the sympathetic nervous system
activates, releasing glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines. Cortisol stimulates
gluconeogenesis. Catecholamines stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Critically,
,conservation of lean body mass does not occur, and the body uses protein stored in muscle for
energy via gluconeogenesis, exacerbating hyperglycemia.
3. Which clinical finding in a newly diagnosed diabetic patient is directly explained by the
physiological sequence of hyperglycemia leading to excess fluid loss?
A. Polyphagia, caused by the brain sensing that cells are not receiving adequate glucose.
B. Polydipsia, resulting from polyuria-induced hypovolemia.
C. Increased abdominal obesity, a recognized symptom of metabolic syndrome.
D. Ketone body usage, reflecting the breakdown of fat into free fatty acids.
3. Answer: B
3. Rationale: Hyperglycemia causes the kidneys to spill excess glucose, and fluid follows,
resulting in polyuria. Polyuria leads to hypovolemia (dehydration), which the body
compensates for by triggering thirst (polydipsia).
4. A nurse is educating a Type 2 diabetic patient about the role of Amylin. The nurse should
emphasize that Amylin contributes to glucose control primarily by which two actions? (Select
All That Apply)
A. Preventing muscle and fat breakdown.
B. Causing the brain to inhibit gastric emptying.
C. Suppressing the release of glucagon.
D. Binding to receptors on the cell to trigger glucose uptake.
E. Promoting satiety.
4. Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Amylin causes the brain to inhibit gastric emptying and makes the patient feel full
(satiety). It also suppresses glucagon release, which helps prevent major spikes in blood
glucose after meals (post-prandial spikes). Preventing muscle/fat breakdown and triggering
glucose uptake are functions of Insulin.
5. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes begins a vigorous exercise routine. Initially (0-10 minutes),
the nurse should recognize that the body relies on which metabolic adjustment to meet the
increased energy demand? A. Insulin levels rise to immediately drive glucose into the muscle
, cells. B. Glycogenesis accelerates to create stored energy. C. Glucagon and catecholamines are
released, promoting lipolysis and glycogenolysis.
D. Cellular resistance to insulin decreases significantly.
5. Answer: C
• Rationale: During initial exercise, energy demand increases, insulin levels drop, and glucagon
and catecholamines are released. This hormonal shift stimulates Lipolysis (breakdown of fat)
and Glycogenolysis (breakdown of stored glucose) to meet energy needs. Increased cell
sensitivity occurs after 10–40 minutes.
6. Which statement accurately differentiates the roles of Insulin and Glucagon in glucose
homeostasis?
A. Insulin stimulates gluconeogenesis; Glucagon prevents muscle and fat breakdown.
B. Insulin is released in response to low glucose; Glucagon is released in response to high
glucose.
C. Insulin inhibits the liver from producing glucose; Glucagon stimulates the breakdown of
glycogen.
D. Insulin stimulates the alpha cells; Glucagon stimulates the beta cells.
6. Answer: C
• Rationale: Insulin inhibits the liver from producing glucose. Glucagon stimulates
glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen). Insulin is released from pancreatic B-cells in response
to glucose presence; Glucagon is released from alpha cells in response to low glucose.
7. A nurse is reviewing a new patient’s labs. The patient’s fasting glucose is 118 mg/dL, and
their HbA1c is 6.1%. The nurse should interpret these results as indicative of: A. Diagnosed
Diabetes Mellitus.
B. Normal glucose regulation.
C. Prediabetes.
D. Severe Hypoglycemia.
1. A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient who has been fasting for 48 hours. Which
sequence of metabolic processes best describes how the body is maintaining blood glucose
stability during this prolonged fasting state?
A. Glycogenesis followed by glycolysis, supported by increased insulin release.
B. Glycogenolysis followed rapidly by gluconeogenesis, initiated by a decrease in insulin and
an increase in glucagon.
C. Lipolysis followed by glycolysis, triggered by parasympathetic nervous system stimulation.
D. Amylin release inhibiting gastric emptying, thus preserving stored glucose.
1. Answer: B
• Rationale: The fasting state utilizes stored nutrients. Glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen
into glucose) and gluconeogenesis (creation of glucose using amino acids/other substances)
occur. Insulin decreases, which triggers lipolysis, and glucagon is released in response to low
blood glucose.
2. A patient with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes experiences severe metabolic stress due to
a massive infection. The nurse anticipates which immediate metabolic response will dominate,
potentially leading to extreme hyperglycemia?
A. Rapid increase in growth hormone production to overcome existing peripheral insulin
resistance.
B. Decreased glucagon release and increased cellular utilization of glucose (Immediate
phase).
C. Increased release of catecholamines and cortisol, leading to gluconeogenesis using
muscle protein stores.
D. Rapid increase in insulin production to overcome existing peripheral insulin resistance.
2. Answer: C
• Rationale: During physiologic stress (immediate phase), the sympathetic nervous system
activates, releasing glucagon, cortisol, and catecholamines. Cortisol stimulates
gluconeogenesis. Catecholamines stimulate glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Critically,
,conservation of lean body mass does not occur, and the body uses protein stored in muscle for
energy via gluconeogenesis, exacerbating hyperglycemia.
3. Which clinical finding in a newly diagnosed diabetic patient is directly explained by the
physiological sequence of hyperglycemia leading to excess fluid loss?
A. Polyphagia, caused by the brain sensing that cells are not receiving adequate glucose.
B. Polydipsia, resulting from polyuria-induced hypovolemia.
C. Increased abdominal obesity, a recognized symptom of metabolic syndrome.
D. Ketone body usage, reflecting the breakdown of fat into free fatty acids.
3. Answer: B
3. Rationale: Hyperglycemia causes the kidneys to spill excess glucose, and fluid follows,
resulting in polyuria. Polyuria leads to hypovolemia (dehydration), which the body
compensates for by triggering thirst (polydipsia).
4. A nurse is educating a Type 2 diabetic patient about the role of Amylin. The nurse should
emphasize that Amylin contributes to glucose control primarily by which two actions? (Select
All That Apply)
A. Preventing muscle and fat breakdown.
B. Causing the brain to inhibit gastric emptying.
C. Suppressing the release of glucagon.
D. Binding to receptors on the cell to trigger glucose uptake.
E. Promoting satiety.
4. Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Amylin causes the brain to inhibit gastric emptying and makes the patient feel full
(satiety). It also suppresses glucagon release, which helps prevent major spikes in blood
glucose after meals (post-prandial spikes). Preventing muscle/fat breakdown and triggering
glucose uptake are functions of Insulin.
5. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes begins a vigorous exercise routine. Initially (0-10 minutes),
the nurse should recognize that the body relies on which metabolic adjustment to meet the
increased energy demand? A. Insulin levels rise to immediately drive glucose into the muscle
, cells. B. Glycogenesis accelerates to create stored energy. C. Glucagon and catecholamines are
released, promoting lipolysis and glycogenolysis.
D. Cellular resistance to insulin decreases significantly.
5. Answer: C
• Rationale: During initial exercise, energy demand increases, insulin levels drop, and glucagon
and catecholamines are released. This hormonal shift stimulates Lipolysis (breakdown of fat)
and Glycogenolysis (breakdown of stored glucose) to meet energy needs. Increased cell
sensitivity occurs after 10–40 minutes.
6. Which statement accurately differentiates the roles of Insulin and Glucagon in glucose
homeostasis?
A. Insulin stimulates gluconeogenesis; Glucagon prevents muscle and fat breakdown.
B. Insulin is released in response to low glucose; Glucagon is released in response to high
glucose.
C. Insulin inhibits the liver from producing glucose; Glucagon stimulates the breakdown of
glycogen.
D. Insulin stimulates the alpha cells; Glucagon stimulates the beta cells.
6. Answer: C
• Rationale: Insulin inhibits the liver from producing glucose. Glucagon stimulates
glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen). Insulin is released from pancreatic B-cells in response
to glucose presence; Glucagon is released from alpha cells in response to low glucose.
7. A nurse is reviewing a new patient’s labs. The patient’s fasting glucose is 118 mg/dL, and
their HbA1c is 6.1%. The nurse should interpret these results as indicative of: A. Diagnosed
Diabetes Mellitus.
B. Normal glucose regulation.
C. Prediabetes.
D. Severe Hypoglycemia.
