CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT COMPETENCY
EXAM 2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING EXAM
PREP | HIGHYIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS | DETAILED RATIONALES |
LATEST UPDATE
Section 1: Fundamentals of Chronic Disease Management
1. Which statement best describes a chronic disease?
A. A condition that develops suddenly and resolves within hours.
B. A long-term health condition that may require ongoing management.
C. A condition caused exclusively by bacterial infections.
D. A disease that always requires hospitalization.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that often require continuous
monitoring, treatment, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care. Examples include diabetes,
hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
2. What is the primary goal of chronic disease management?
A. To eliminate all medications from the patient's treatment plan.
B. To provide emergency care only when complications occur.
C. To control the disease, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.
D. To ensure that all patients receive identical treatment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic disease management focuses on maintaining disease control, reducing
complications, promoting independence, and improving quality of life through individualized
care.
3. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What
should the nurse do first?
,A. Begin insulin administration immediately.
B. Assess the patient's knowledge, health status, and self-management needs.
C. Instruct the patient to avoid all carbohydrates.
D. Schedule daily hospital admissions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment identifies the patient's baseline health, understanding, barriers, and
preferences. The nurse uses this information to develop an individualized and achievable care
plan.
4. Which approach best supports patient-centered chronic disease care?
A. Making all treatment decisions without patient input.
B. Using the same care plan for every patient.
C. Involving the patient in setting goals and making treatment decisions.
D. Focusing only on laboratory results.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shared decision-making respects patient preferences, values, and circumstances.
Collaborative goals can improve engagement and adherence to treatment.
5. Which factor commonly contributes to poor chronic disease control?
A. Regular follow-up appointments.
B. Understanding medication instructions.
C. Consistent access to prescribed treatment.
D. Financial barriers that prevent medication access.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medication costs and other access barriers can interrupt treatment, resulting in poor
disease control and increased risk of complications. Nurses should assess barriers and help
patients access available support.
Section 2: Diabetes Mellitus Management
6. Which test reflects average blood glucose over approximately the preceding 2–3 months?
,A. Random blood glucose.
B. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
C. Urine ketone test.
D. Serum sodium.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HbA1c measures the proportion of hemoglobin with glucose attached and reflects
average glycemia over the red blood cells' lifespan. It is commonly used to assess long-term
diabetes control.
7. A patient with diabetes becomes sweaty, shaky, and confused. What should the nurse suspect
first?
A. Hypercalcemia.
B. Hypoglycemia.
C. Hypertension.
D. Chronic kidney disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, confusion, and palpitations are common manifestations of
hypoglycemia. Check blood glucose promptly and treat according to the patient's condition and
protocol. If the patient is unconscious or cannot swallow safely, do not give oral food or fluids.
8. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 58 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L) and can
swallow safely. What is the appropriate initial intervention?
A. Administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.
B. Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin.
C. Encourage the patient to exercise.
D. Restrict oral fluids.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For an alert patient who can swallow, the 15–15 approach is commonly used: give 15
g of fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck glucose after 15 minutes, and repeat if it remains below
70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Follow with food if appropriate and according to the care plan.
, 9. Which finding is most suggestive of diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
A. Sudden severe chest pain.
B. Reduced sensation in both feet.
C. Increased visual acuity.
D. Slow heart rate during sleep.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy commonly causes numbness, tingling, burning pain,
or reduced sensation in the feet. Loss of sensation increases the risk of unnoticed injuries,
ulcers, and infection.
10. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient with diabetes regarding foot care?
A. Walk barefoot indoors to improve circulation.
B. Soak the feet in hot water every evening.
C. Inspect the feet daily for wounds, redness, or changes.
D. Cut corns using a sharp blade at home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Daily foot inspection helps identify injuries early, particularly in patients with
neuropathy. Patients should wear well-fitting footwear, avoid walking barefoot, and seek
professional care for wounds or concerning changes.
Section 3: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
11. Which measurement is essential when monitoring a patient with hypertension?
A. Blood pressure.
B. Visual acuity only.
C. Body temperature only.
D. Hearing assessment only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure measurement is central to hypertension monitoring. Accurate
technique includes appropriate cuff size, proper positioning, and allowing the patient to rest
before measurement.
EXAM 2026/2027 | COMPLETE NURSING EXAM
PREP | HIGHYIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS | DETAILED RATIONALES |
LATEST UPDATE
Section 1: Fundamentals of Chronic Disease Management
1. Which statement best describes a chronic disease?
A. A condition that develops suddenly and resolves within hours.
B. A long-term health condition that may require ongoing management.
C. A condition caused exclusively by bacterial infections.
D. A disease that always requires hospitalization.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that often require continuous
monitoring, treatment, lifestyle changes, and follow-up care. Examples include diabetes,
hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
2. What is the primary goal of chronic disease management?
A. To eliminate all medications from the patient's treatment plan.
B. To provide emergency care only when complications occur.
C. To control the disease, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.
D. To ensure that all patients receive identical treatment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chronic disease management focuses on maintaining disease control, reducing
complications, promoting independence, and improving quality of life through individualized
care.
3. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What
should the nurse do first?
,A. Begin insulin administration immediately.
B. Assess the patient's knowledge, health status, and self-management needs.
C. Instruct the patient to avoid all carbohydrates.
D. Schedule daily hospital admissions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment identifies the patient's baseline health, understanding, barriers, and
preferences. The nurse uses this information to develop an individualized and achievable care
plan.
4. Which approach best supports patient-centered chronic disease care?
A. Making all treatment decisions without patient input.
B. Using the same care plan for every patient.
C. Involving the patient in setting goals and making treatment decisions.
D. Focusing only on laboratory results.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shared decision-making respects patient preferences, values, and circumstances.
Collaborative goals can improve engagement and adherence to treatment.
5. Which factor commonly contributes to poor chronic disease control?
A. Regular follow-up appointments.
B. Understanding medication instructions.
C. Consistent access to prescribed treatment.
D. Financial barriers that prevent medication access.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Medication costs and other access barriers can interrupt treatment, resulting in poor
disease control and increased risk of complications. Nurses should assess barriers and help
patients access available support.
Section 2: Diabetes Mellitus Management
6. Which test reflects average blood glucose over approximately the preceding 2–3 months?
,A. Random blood glucose.
B. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
C. Urine ketone test.
D. Serum sodium.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HbA1c measures the proportion of hemoglobin with glucose attached and reflects
average glycemia over the red blood cells' lifespan. It is commonly used to assess long-term
diabetes control.
7. A patient with diabetes becomes sweaty, shaky, and confused. What should the nurse suspect
first?
A. Hypercalcemia.
B. Hypoglycemia.
C. Hypertension.
D. Chronic kidney disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, confusion, and palpitations are common manifestations of
hypoglycemia. Check blood glucose promptly and treat according to the patient's condition and
protocol. If the patient is unconscious or cannot swallow safely, do not give oral food or fluids.
8. A conscious patient with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 58 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L) and can
swallow safely. What is the appropriate initial intervention?
A. Administer 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.
B. Give a dose of rapid-acting insulin.
C. Encourage the patient to exercise.
D. Restrict oral fluids.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For an alert patient who can swallow, the 15–15 approach is commonly used: give 15
g of fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck glucose after 15 minutes, and repeat if it remains below
70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L). Follow with food if appropriate and according to the care plan.
, 9. Which finding is most suggestive of diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
A. Sudden severe chest pain.
B. Reduced sensation in both feet.
C. Increased visual acuity.
D. Slow heart rate during sleep.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy commonly causes numbness, tingling, burning pain,
or reduced sensation in the feet. Loss of sensation increases the risk of unnoticed injuries,
ulcers, and infection.
10. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient with diabetes regarding foot care?
A. Walk barefoot indoors to improve circulation.
B. Soak the feet in hot water every evening.
C. Inspect the feet daily for wounds, redness, or changes.
D. Cut corns using a sharp blade at home.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Daily foot inspection helps identify injuries early, particularly in patients with
neuropathy. Patients should wear well-fitting footwear, avoid walking barefoot, and seek
professional care for wounds or concerning changes.
Section 3: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease
11. Which measurement is essential when monitoring a patient with hypertension?
A. Blood pressure.
B. Visual acuity only.
C. Body temperature only.
D. Hearing assessment only.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Blood pressure measurement is central to hypertension monitoring. Accurate
technique includes appropriate cuff size, proper positioning, and allowing the patient to rest
before measurement.
