NUR 170 Exam 3 | Concepts of Medical-Surgical
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus about
exercise. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I should exercise whenever my blood glucose is low."
B) "I should take my insulin immediately before exercising."
C) "I should exercise when my insulin reaches its peak."
D) "I should avoid exercising when my insulin is at its peak."
Correct Answer: "I should avoid exercising when my insulin is at its
peak."
Rationale: Exercising when insulin is at its peak increases the risk of
hypoglycemia because exercise enhances glucose uptake while insulin
levels are high. Exercise during low blood glucose is unsafe, and taking
insulin immediately before exercise can lead to unpredictable glucose
drops. Avoiding peak insulin times helps maintain safer glucose levels
during physical activity.
2. Which finding places a client at greatest risk for developing type 2
diabetes mellitus?
A) Low body weight and hypotension
B) Young age and decreased cholesterol
C) Frequent exercise and low BMI
D) Elevated BMI and hypertension
Correct Answer: Elevated BMI and hypertension
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity (elevated
BMI) and hypertension, which are components of metabolic syndrome.
,Other significant risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, family history,
and being over age 40, particularly among non-white populations.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes becomes confused and shaky. What should
the nurse do first?
A) Check the client's blood glucose level.
B) Encourage the client to exercise.
C) Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin.
D) Restrict carbohydrate intake.
Correct Answer: Check the client's blood glucose level.
Rationale: Confusion and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia.
The priority action is to check the blood glucose level to confirm
hypoglycemia before initiating treatment. Exercising or administering
insulin would worsen the condition, and restricting carbohydrates is not
appropriate for hypoglycemia.
4. Which laboratory test provides information about a diabetic client's
glucose control over approximately 3 months?
A) Serum creatinine
B) Fasting lipid panel
C) Hemoglobin A1C
D) BUN
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the average blood glucose level over
the past 2-3 months by measuring the amount of glucose attached to
hemoglobin. It is the standard test for assessing long-term glycemic
control. Serum creatinine and BUN evaluate kidney function, and a lipid
panel assesses cholesterol levels.
,5. Which finding is most consistent with hyperglycemia?
A) Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
B) Cool clammy skin and shakiness
C) Bradycardia and pallor
D) Sudden diaphoresis and hunger
Correct Answer: Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
Rationale: The classic "three Ps" of hyperglycemia are polyuria
(excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia
(excessive hunger). These occur because high blood glucose draws water
into the urine, causing dehydration and hunger. Cool, clammy skin and
shakiness are signs of hypoglycemia.
6. Which manifestation is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A) Fruity breath
B) Hot, dry skin
C) Cool, clammy skin with shakiness
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Cool, clammy skin with shakiness
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system,
causing cool, clammy skin, shakiness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Fruity
breath and hot, dry skin are signs of hyperglycemia and diabetic
ketoacidosis. Polyuria and polydipsia are classic signs of hyperglycemia.
7. A conscious diabetic client develops mild hypoglycemia. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A) Restrict oral carbohydrates.
B) Give 10–15 g of carbohydrates.
C) Administer long-acting insulin.
, D) Have the client exercise.
Correct Answer: Give 10–15 g of carbohydrates.
Rationale: For a conscious client with mild hypoglycemia, the standard
treatment is to administer 10–15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as
glucose tablets, juice, or regular soda). This quickly raises blood glucose
to a safe level. The blood glucose should be rechecked in 15 minutes.
8. After treating mild hypoglycemia with carbohydrates, when should the
nurse recheck the client's blood glucose?
A) 5 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 1 hour
Correct Answer: 15 minutes
Rationale: After administering 10–15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates for
hypoglycemia, the nurse should recheck the blood glucose in 15 minutes.
If the level remains low, the treatment should be repeated. This allows
enough time for the carbohydrates to be absorbed and raise the glucose
level.
9. A diabetic client is unconscious and unable to swallow because of
severe hypoglycemia. Which medication is indicated for treatment?
A) Glucagon
B) Glipizide
C) Metformin
D) NPH insulin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
Nursing (2026) Q&A | Galen College
1. A nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus about
exercise. Which statement by the client indicates correct understanding?
A) "I should exercise whenever my blood glucose is low."
B) "I should take my insulin immediately before exercising."
C) "I should exercise when my insulin reaches its peak."
D) "I should avoid exercising when my insulin is at its peak."
Correct Answer: "I should avoid exercising when my insulin is at its
peak."
Rationale: Exercising when insulin is at its peak increases the risk of
hypoglycemia because exercise enhances glucose uptake while insulin
levels are high. Exercise during low blood glucose is unsafe, and taking
insulin immediately before exercise can lead to unpredictable glucose
drops. Avoiding peak insulin times helps maintain safer glucose levels
during physical activity.
2. Which finding places a client at greatest risk for developing type 2
diabetes mellitus?
A) Low body weight and hypotension
B) Young age and decreased cholesterol
C) Frequent exercise and low BMI
D) Elevated BMI and hypertension
Correct Answer: Elevated BMI and hypertension
Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity (elevated
BMI) and hypertension, which are components of metabolic syndrome.
,Other significant risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, family history,
and being over age 40, particularly among non-white populations.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes becomes confused and shaky. What should
the nurse do first?
A) Check the client's blood glucose level.
B) Encourage the client to exercise.
C) Administer the scheduled long-acting insulin.
D) Restrict carbohydrate intake.
Correct Answer: Check the client's blood glucose level.
Rationale: Confusion and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia.
The priority action is to check the blood glucose level to confirm
hypoglycemia before initiating treatment. Exercising or administering
insulin would worsen the condition, and restricting carbohydrates is not
appropriate for hypoglycemia.
4. Which laboratory test provides information about a diabetic client's
glucose control over approximately 3 months?
A) Serum creatinine
B) Fasting lipid panel
C) Hemoglobin A1C
D) BUN
Correct Answer: Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects the average blood glucose level over
the past 2-3 months by measuring the amount of glucose attached to
hemoglobin. It is the standard test for assessing long-term glycemic
control. Serum creatinine and BUN evaluate kidney function, and a lipid
panel assesses cholesterol levels.
,5. Which finding is most consistent with hyperglycemia?
A) Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
B) Cool clammy skin and shakiness
C) Bradycardia and pallor
D) Sudden diaphoresis and hunger
Correct Answer: Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
Rationale: The classic "three Ps" of hyperglycemia are polyuria
(excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia
(excessive hunger). These occur because high blood glucose draws water
into the urine, causing dehydration and hunger. Cool, clammy skin and
shakiness are signs of hypoglycemia.
6. Which manifestation is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A) Fruity breath
B) Hot, dry skin
C) Cool, clammy skin with shakiness
D) Polyuria and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Cool, clammy skin with shakiness
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system,
causing cool, clammy skin, shakiness, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Fruity
breath and hot, dry skin are signs of hyperglycemia and diabetic
ketoacidosis. Polyuria and polydipsia are classic signs of hyperglycemia.
7. A conscious diabetic client develops mild hypoglycemia. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A) Restrict oral carbohydrates.
B) Give 10–15 g of carbohydrates.
C) Administer long-acting insulin.
, D) Have the client exercise.
Correct Answer: Give 10–15 g of carbohydrates.
Rationale: For a conscious client with mild hypoglycemia, the standard
treatment is to administer 10–15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates (such as
glucose tablets, juice, or regular soda). This quickly raises blood glucose
to a safe level. The blood glucose should be rechecked in 15 minutes.
8. After treating mild hypoglycemia with carbohydrates, when should the
nurse recheck the client's blood glucose?
A) 5 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 30 minutes
D) 1 hour
Correct Answer: 15 minutes
Rationale: After administering 10–15 g of fast-acting carbohydrates for
hypoglycemia, the nurse should recheck the blood glucose in 15 minutes.
If the level remains low, the treatment should be repeated. This allows
enough time for the carbohydrates to be absorbed and raise the glucose
level.
9. A diabetic client is unconscious and unable to swallow because of
severe hypoglycemia. Which medication is indicated for treatment?
A) Glucagon
B) Glipizide
C) Metformin
D) NPH insulin
Correct Answer: Glucagon
