WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE 2026-2027
Question 1: A patient comes to the ER with a blood sugar of 602 mg/dL, breathing
deeply, and ketones in their urine. What would you think the next test should be?
A) Hemoglobin A1C
B) Blood Gases
C) Complete Blood Count
D) Lipid Panel
Correct Answer: B) Blood Gases
Rationale: The patient's presentation (blood sugar >600, deep Kussmaul
respirations, and urine ketones) is classic for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Blood
gases would assess the acidotic state expected in DKA.
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Question 2: When drawing up insulin, what do you have to do first?
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,A) Draw up the clear insulin first
B) Put air in the cloudy insulin vial first
C) Draw up the cloudy insulin first
D) Wash hands before anything else
Correct Answer: B) Put air in the cloudy insulin vial first
Rationale: When mixing insulins, the correct technique is to inject air into the
cloudy (intermediate-acting) insulin vial first, then inject air into the clear (short-
acting) insulin vial, draw up the clear insulin, and finally draw up the cloudy
insulin. This prevents contamination of the clear insulin with the cloudy insulin.
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Question 3: What is the normal range for creatinine?
A) 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
B) 10-20 mg/dL
C) 70-110 mg/dL
D) 0.2-0.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A) 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal creatinine levels are 0.6-1.2 mg/dL. Creatinine is a waste
product from muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in
urine. Elevated creatinine indicates impaired kidney function, which is a concern
for diabetic patients.
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Question 4: What is the normal range for BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)?
A) 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
B) 10-20 mg/dL
C) 70-110 mg/dL
D) 5-15 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B) 10-20 mg/dL
Rationale: Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL. BUN measures the amount of nitrogen in
the blood that comes from urea, a waste product of protein metabolism. Elevated
BUN may indicate kidney dysfunction, dehydration, or increased protein
breakdown.
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Question 5: What insulins cannot be mixed together?
A) Novolin R and Novolin N
B) Humulin R and Humulin N
C) Levemir and Lantus
D) Regular and NPH
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, Correct Answer: C) Levemir and Lantus
Rationale: Levemir (detemir) and Lantus (glargine) are long-acting insulin analogs
that cannot be mixed with other insulins due to their acidic pH, which can
precipitate when mixed with other insulins. They must be administered separately.
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Question 6: Which type of diabetes was previously called juvenile diabetes and is
insulin-dependent?
A) Type 1 diabetes
B) Type 2 diabetes
C) Gestational diabetes
D) Diabetes insipidus
Correct Answer: A) Type 1 diabetes
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes or
insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It is characterized by autoimmune
destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in absolute insulin deficiency.
Patients with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy.
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Question 7: Which type of diabetes was previously called adult-onset diabetes and
is insulin-resistant?
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