Diabetes NCLEX questions with 100%
complete solutions
A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what ""type 2"" means in
relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes
primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the pt is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin
b. there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells
d. the insulin precurosr that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver - correct answer-
Answer B - there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient for the body's
needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other information describes the
physiology of type 1 diabetes
The benefits of using an insulin pump include all of the following except:
a. By continuously providing insulin they eliminate the need for injections of insulin
b. They simplify management of blood sugar and often improve A1C
c. They enable exercise without compensatory carbohydrate consumption
d. They help with weight loss - correct answer-Answer d. They help with weight loss
Rationale" Using an insulin pump has many advantages, including fewer dramatic swings in blood
glucose levels, increased flexibility about diet, and improved accuracy of insulin doses and delivery;
however, the use of an insulin pump has been associated with weight gain.
,A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes, asks the nurse what "type 2" means. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
1. "With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes inflamed."
2. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased and insulin resistance is increased."
3. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin."
4. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces auto-antibodies that destroy b-cells in the pancreas."" -
correct answer-Answer: 2
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pancreas is reduced and/or the cells
of the body become resistant to insulin"
A client is admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Which findings is the
nurse most likely to observe in this client? Select all that apply:
"1. Excessive thirst
2. Weight gain
3. Constipation
4. Excessive hunger
5. Urine retention
6. Frequent, high-volume urination - correct answer-1, 4, 6 - Excessive thirst, excessive hunger, frequent.
high-volume urination
Rationale: Classic signs of diabetes mellitus include polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyphagia (excessive
hunger), and polyuria (excessive urination). Because the body is starving from the lack of glucose the
cells are using for energy, the client has weight loss, not weight gain. Clients with diabetes mellitus
usually don't present with constipation. Urine retention is only a problem is the patient has another
renal-related condition.
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive state, and a diagnosis of
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome is made. The nurse would immediately prepare to
initiate which of the following anticipated physician's prescriptions?
, 1. Endotracheal intubation
2. 100 units of NPH insulin
3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline
4. Intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate - correct answer-ANSWER: 3. Intravenous infusion of
normal saline
Rationale: The primary goal of treatment is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) is
to rehydrate the client to restore the fluid volume and to correct electrolyte deficiency. Intravenous fluid
replacement is similar to that administered in diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) and begins with IV infusion of
normal saline. Regular insulin, not NPH insulin, would be administered. The use of sodium bicarbonate
to correct acidosis is avoided because it can precipitate a further drop in serum potassium levels.
Intubation and mechanical ventilation are not required to treat HHNS.
A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse instructs the client that the
mostlikely time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
A) 2-4 hours after administration
B) 4-12 hours after administration
C) 16-18 hours after administration
D) 18-24 hours after administration - correct answer-B: 4-12 hours
Rationale: Humulin is an intermediate acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it peaks in 4-12
hours, and its duration is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic reactions to insulin are most likely to occur during the
peak time.
A client who is started on metformin and glyburide would have initially presented with which symptoms?
a. Polydispisa, polyuria, and weight loss
b. weight gain, tiredness, & bradycardia
c. irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia
d. diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss - correct answer-ANSWER: a. Polydispisa, polyuria, and
weight loss.
complete solutions
A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what ""type 2"" means in
relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes
primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the pt is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin
b. there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells
d. the insulin precurosr that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver - correct answer-
Answer B - there is a decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient for the body's
needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other information describes the
physiology of type 1 diabetes
The benefits of using an insulin pump include all of the following except:
a. By continuously providing insulin they eliminate the need for injections of insulin
b. They simplify management of blood sugar and often improve A1C
c. They enable exercise without compensatory carbohydrate consumption
d. They help with weight loss - correct answer-Answer d. They help with weight loss
Rationale" Using an insulin pump has many advantages, including fewer dramatic swings in blood
glucose levels, increased flexibility about diet, and improved accuracy of insulin doses and delivery;
however, the use of an insulin pump has been associated with weight gain.
,A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes, asks the nurse what "type 2" means. Which of the
following is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
1. "With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes inflamed."
2. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased and insulin resistance is increased."
3. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin."
4. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces auto-antibodies that destroy b-cells in the pancreas."" -
correct answer-Answer: 2
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pancreas is reduced and/or the cells
of the body become resistant to insulin"
A client is admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Which findings is the
nurse most likely to observe in this client? Select all that apply:
"1. Excessive thirst
2. Weight gain
3. Constipation
4. Excessive hunger
5. Urine retention
6. Frequent, high-volume urination - correct answer-1, 4, 6 - Excessive thirst, excessive hunger, frequent.
high-volume urination
Rationale: Classic signs of diabetes mellitus include polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyphagia (excessive
hunger), and polyuria (excessive urination). Because the body is starving from the lack of glucose the
cells are using for energy, the client has weight loss, not weight gain. Clients with diabetes mellitus
usually don't present with constipation. Urine retention is only a problem is the patient has another
renal-related condition.
A client is brought to the emergency department in an unresponsive state, and a diagnosis of
hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome is made. The nurse would immediately prepare to
initiate which of the following anticipated physician's prescriptions?
, 1. Endotracheal intubation
2. 100 units of NPH insulin
3. Intravenous infusion of normal saline
4. Intravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate - correct answer-ANSWER: 3. Intravenous infusion of
normal saline
Rationale: The primary goal of treatment is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS) is
to rehydrate the client to restore the fluid volume and to correct electrolyte deficiency. Intravenous fluid
replacement is similar to that administered in diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) and begins with IV infusion of
normal saline. Regular insulin, not NPH insulin, would be administered. The use of sodium bicarbonate
to correct acidosis is avoided because it can precipitate a further drop in serum potassium levels.
Intubation and mechanical ventilation are not required to treat HHNS.
A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse instructs the client that the
mostlikely time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
A) 2-4 hours after administration
B) 4-12 hours after administration
C) 16-18 hours after administration
D) 18-24 hours after administration - correct answer-B: 4-12 hours
Rationale: Humulin is an intermediate acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it peaks in 4-12
hours, and its duration is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic reactions to insulin are most likely to occur during the
peak time.
A client who is started on metformin and glyburide would have initially presented with which symptoms?
a. Polydispisa, polyuria, and weight loss
b. weight gain, tiredness, & bradycardia
c. irritability, diaphoresis, and tachycardia
d. diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss - correct answer-ANSWER: a. Polydispisa, polyuria, and
weight loss.
