NU 185 Exam 4: A Comprehensive
Review of Diabetes Mellitus &
Endocrine Nursing With Verified
Answer Rationale Latest 2026[Most
Recent] Graded A+
Diabetes Mellitus & Insulin Therapy
Question 1
A nurse is educating a newly diagnosed diabetic patient. Which
statement indicates understanding of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. "If I lose weight, I may be able to stop taking insulin."
B. "My pancreas produces insulin, but not enough."
C. "I will need to take insulin for the rest of my life."
D. "This type usually develops in adulthood."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Lifelong
exogenous insulin is required because the body cannot produce its own
insulin.
Question 2
A client with Type 1 diabetes is pale, shaky, and diaphoretic. The blood
glucose is 58 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
,A. Administer IV insulin
B. Call the provider
C. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
D. Administer glucagon subcutaneously
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client is conscious and experiencing hypoglycemia (blood
glucose <70 mg/dL). The "Rule of 15" applies: give 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice, glucose tablets), recheck in 15
minutes. Glucagon is for unconscious patients or those unable to
swallow. IV dextrose is for severe hypoglycemia.
Question 3
A diabetic client is taking Lantus insulin for regulation of blood glucose
levels. The nurse should know that this insulin will most likely be
administered at what time?
A. Before meals
B. At bedtime
C. With breakfast
D. After meals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin with no peak
and a 24-hour duration. It is typically administered once daily at bedtime
to provide basal insulin coverage.
Question 4
,A client with Polyuria, Polydipsia, and Polyphagia is diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus. The nurse would expect these symptoms are related to
what?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Insulin overdose
D. Somogyi effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The classic "three P's" of diabetes (polyuria, polydipsia,
polyphagia) are caused by hyperglycemia. Elevated blood glucose leads
to osmotic diuresis (polyuria), dehydration causing excessive thirst
(polydipsia), and cellular starvation leading to increased hunger
(polyphagia).
Question 5
Which laboratory test conducted on a client with Diabetes Mellitus
indicates compliance with treatment?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Urine ketones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects average blood glucose over the
previous 2-3 months. This is the best indicator of long-term glycemic
control and treatment compliance. Normal is <5.7%; diabetes is ≥6.5%.
, Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer 10 units of regular insulin. Which
syringe is correct?
A. 1 mL tuberculin syringe
B. 5 mL syringe
C. An insulin syringe calibrated in units
D. 3 mL syringe with 0.1 mL gradations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin must be measured using a syringe specifically
calibrated in "units" to ensure accurate dosing. Using a tuberculin
syringe (mL) risks severe dosing errors.
Question 7
The nurse is teaching a client about NPH insulin. Which statement about
this insulin is correct?
A. It is a clear solution
B. It appears cloudy
C. It peaks in 1-2 hours
D. It lasts 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NPH (intermediate-acting) insulin is the only type that
appears cloudy due to added protamine to delay absorption. It peaks in
approximately 4-12 hours.
Review of Diabetes Mellitus &
Endocrine Nursing With Verified
Answer Rationale Latest 2026[Most
Recent] Graded A+
Diabetes Mellitus & Insulin Therapy
Question 1
A nurse is educating a newly diagnosed diabetic patient. Which
statement indicates understanding of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
A. "If I lose weight, I may be able to stop taking insulin."
B. "My pancreas produces insulin, but not enough."
C. "I will need to take insulin for the rest of my life."
D. "This type usually develops in adulthood."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 DM is characterized by autoimmune destruction of
pancreatic beta cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Lifelong
exogenous insulin is required because the body cannot produce its own
insulin.
Question 2
A client with Type 1 diabetes is pale, shaky, and diaphoretic. The blood
glucose is 58 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
,A. Administer IV insulin
B. Call the provider
C. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
D. Administer glucagon subcutaneously
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client is conscious and experiencing hypoglycemia (blood
glucose <70 mg/dL). The "Rule of 15" applies: give 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice, glucose tablets), recheck in 15
minutes. Glucagon is for unconscious patients or those unable to
swallow. IV dextrose is for severe hypoglycemia.
Question 3
A diabetic client is taking Lantus insulin for regulation of blood glucose
levels. The nurse should know that this insulin will most likely be
administered at what time?
A. Before meals
B. At bedtime
C. With breakfast
D. After meals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting insulin with no peak
and a 24-hour duration. It is typically administered once daily at bedtime
to provide basal insulin coverage.
Question 4
,A client with Polyuria, Polydipsia, and Polyphagia is diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus. The nurse would expect these symptoms are related to
what?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Insulin overdose
D. Somogyi effect
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The classic "three P's" of diabetes (polyuria, polydipsia,
polyphagia) are caused by hyperglycemia. Elevated blood glucose leads
to osmotic diuresis (polyuria), dehydration causing excessive thirst
(polydipsia), and cellular starvation leading to increased hunger
(polyphagia).
Question 5
Which laboratory test conducted on a client with Diabetes Mellitus
indicates compliance with treatment?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Urine ketones
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects average blood glucose over the
previous 2-3 months. This is the best indicator of long-term glycemic
control and treatment compliance. Normal is <5.7%; diabetes is ≥6.5%.
, Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer 10 units of regular insulin. Which
syringe is correct?
A. 1 mL tuberculin syringe
B. 5 mL syringe
C. An insulin syringe calibrated in units
D. 3 mL syringe with 0.1 mL gradations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin must be measured using a syringe specifically
calibrated in "units" to ensure accurate dosing. Using a tuberculin
syringe (mL) risks severe dosing errors.
Question 7
The nurse is teaching a client about NPH insulin. Which statement about
this insulin is correct?
A. It is a clear solution
B. It appears cloudy
C. It peaks in 1-2 hours
D. It lasts 24 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NPH (intermediate-acting) insulin is the only type that
appears cloudy due to added protamine to delay absorption. It peaks in
approximately 4-12 hours.
