GRADE A+ Diabetes Mellitus NCLEX Style Questions With ans 2025
The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for the clinic patients
to be seen today. Which patient meets the diagnostic criteria for
a. A 48-year-old woman with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.4%
diabetes mellitus?
Criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus include a hemoglobin
a. A 48-year-old woman with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.4%
A1C e 6.5%, fasting plasma glucose level =126 mg/dL, 2-hour
b. A 58-year-old man with a fasting blood glucose of 111 mg/dL
plasma glucose level =200 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance
c. A 68-year-old woman with a random plasma glucose of 190
test, or classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis
mg/dL
with a random plasma glucose =200 mg/dL.
d. A 78-year-old man with a 2-hour glucose tolerance plasma
glucose of 184 mg/dL
The nurse teaches a 38-year-old man who was recently diag-
a. "I will discard any insulin bottle that is cloudy in appearance."
nosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus about insulin administration.
Which statement by the patient requires an intervention by the
Intermediate-acting insulin and combination premixed insulin will
nurse?
be cloudy in appearance. Routine hygiene such as washing with
soap and rinsing with water is adequate for skin preparation for
a. "I will discard any insulin bottle that is cloudy in appearance."
the patient during self-injections. Insulin vials that the patient is
b. "The best injection site for insulin administration is in my ab-
currently using may be left at room temperature for up to 4 weeks
domen."
unless the room temperature is higher than 86° F (30° C) or
c. "I can wash the site with soap and water before insulin admin-
below freezing (less than 32° F [0° C]). Rotating sites to different
istration."
anatomic sites is no longer recommended. Patients should rotate
d. "I may keep my insulin at room temperature (75o F) for up to a
the injection within one particular site, such as the abdomen.
month."
The nurse instructs a 22-year-old female patient with diabetes b. "I may have a hypoglycemic reaction if I drink alcohol on an
mellitus about a healthy eating plan. Which statement made by empty stomach."
the patient indicates that teaching was successful?
The risk for alcohol-induced hypoglycemia is reduced by eating
a. "I plan to lose 25 pounds this year by following a high-protein carbohydrates when drinking alcohol. Intensified insulin therapy,
diet." such as the use of an insulin pump, allows considerable flexibility
b. "I may have a hypoglycemic reaction if I drink alcohol on an in food selection and can be adjusted for alterations from usual
empty stomach." eating and exercise habits. However, saturated fat intake should
c. "I should include more fiber in my diet than a person who does still be limited to less than 7% of total daily calories. Daily fiber in-
not have diabetes." take of 14 g/1000 kcal is recommended for the general population
d. "If I use an insulin pump, I will not need to limit the amount of and for patients with diabetes mellitus. High-protein diets are not
saturated fat in my diet." recommended for weight loss.
b. A 73-year-old patient who takes propranolol (Inderal)
Which patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus would be at the highest Hypoglycemic unawareness is a condition in which a person does
risk for developing hypoglycemic unawareness?
not experience the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
until the person becomes incoherent and combative or loses
a. A 58-year-old patient with diabetic retinopathy
consciousness. Hypoglycemic awareness is related to autonom-
b. A 73-year-old patient who takes propranolol (Inderal)
ic neuropathy of diabetes that interferes with the secretion of
c. A 19-year-old patient who is on the school track team
counterregulatory hormones that produce these symptoms. Older
d. A 24-year-old patient with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.9%
patients and patients who use â-adrenergic blockers (e.g., pro-
pranolol) are at risk for hypoglycemic unawareness.
The nurse is teaching a 60-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes
mellitus how to prevent diabetic nephropathy. Which statement b. "I can help control my blood pressure by avoiding foods high in
made by the patient indicates that teaching has been successful? salt."
a. "Smokeless tobacco products decrease the risk of kidney dam- Diabetic nephropathy is a microvascular complication associated
age." with damage to the small blood vessels that supply the glomeruli of
b. "I can help control my blood pressure by avoiding foods high in the kidney. Risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropa-
salt." thy include hypertension, genetic predisposition, smoking, and
c. "I should have yearly dilated eye examinations by an ophthal- chronic hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes are screened for
mologist." nephropathy annually with a measurement of the albumin-to-cre-
d. "I will avoid hypoglycemia by keeping my blood sugar above 180 atinine ratio in urine; a serum creatinine is also needed.
mg/dL."
A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes asks the nurse
what "type 2" means. What is the most appropriate response by b. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased, and insulin
the nurse? resistance is increased."
a. "With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes
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, GRADE A+ Diabetes Mellitus NCLEX Style Questions With ans 2025
inflamed." In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pan-
"With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased, and insulin
b. creas is reduced, and/or the cells of the body become resistant
resistance is increased."
to insulin. The pancreas becomes inflamed with pancreatitis. The
c. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an
patient is totally dependent on exogenous insulin and may have
outside source of insulin."
had autoantibodies destroy the ² c- ells in the pancreas with type 1
d. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces autoantibodies that
diabetes mellitus.
destroy ² c- ells in the pancreas."
d. Glycosylated hemoglobin level
The nurse caring for a patient hospitalized with diabetes mellitus A glycosylated hemoglobin level detects the amount of glucose
would look for which laboratory test result to obtain information on that is bound to red blood cells (RBCs). When circulating glu-
the patient's past glucose control? cose levels are high, glucose attaches to the RBCs and remains
there for the life of the blood cell, which is approximately 120
a. Prealbumin level days. Thus the test can give an indication of glycemic control
b. Urine ketone level over approximately 2 to 3 months. The prealbumin level is used
c. Fasting glucose level to establish nutritional status and is unrelated to past glucose
d. Glycosylated hemoglobin level control. The urine ketone level will only show that hyperglycemia
or starvation is probably currently occurring. The fasting glucose
level only indicates current glucose control.
The nurse has been teaching a patient with diabetes mellitus
how to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). During
evaluation of the patient's technique, the nurse identifies a need
a. Chooses a puncture site in the center of the finger pad
for additional teaching when the patient does what?
The patient should select a site on the sides of the fingertips, not
a. Chooses a puncture site in the center of the finger pad.
on the center of the finger pad as this area contains many nerve
b. Washes hands with soap and water to cleanse the site to be
endings and would be unnecessarily painful. Washing hands,
used.
warming the finger, and knowing the results that indicate good
c. Warms the finger before puncturing the finger to obtain a drop
control all show understanding of the teaching.
of blood.
d. Tells the nurse that the result of 110 mg/dL indicates good
control of diabetes.
The nurse is assigned to the care of a 64-year-old patient diag-
nosed with type 2 diabetes. In formulating a teaching plan that
a. Assess patient's perception of what it means to have diabetes.
encourages the patient to actively participate in management of
the diabetes, what should be the nurse's initial intervention?
In order for teaching to be effective, the first step is to assess the
a. patient. Teaching can be individualized once the nurse is aware
b. Assess patient's perception of what it means to have diabetes. of what a diagnosis of diabetes means to the patient. After the
Ask the patient to write down current knowledge about diabetes.
initial assessment, current knowledge can be assessed, and goals
c. Set goals for the patient to actively participate in managing his
should be set with the patient. Assuming responsibility for all of the
diabetes.
patient's care will not facilitate the patient's health.
d. Assume responsibility for all of the patient's care to decrease
stress level.
The nurse is beginning to teach a diabetic patient about vascular
complications of diabetes. What information is appropriate for the b. Microangiopathy is specific to diabetes and most commonly
nurse to include? affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin.
a. Macroangiopathy does not occur in type 1 diabetes but rather Microangiopathy occurs in diabetes mellitus. When it affects the
in type 2 diabetics who have severe disease. eyes, it is called diabetic retinopathy. When the kidneys are af-
b. Microangiopathy is specific to diabetes and most commonly fected, the patient has nephropathy. When the skin is affected,
affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin. it can lead to diabetic foot ulcers. Macroangiopathy can occur in
c. Renal damage resulting from changes in large- and medi- either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and contributes to cerebrovascular,
um-sized blood vessels can be prevented by careful glucose cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. Sexual impoten-
control. cy and slowed gastric emptying result from microangiopathy and
d. Macroangiopathy causes slowed gastric emptying and the sex- neuropathy.
ual impotency experienced by a majority of patients with diabetes.
The nurse is evaluating a 45-year-old patient diagnosed with type
2 diabetes mellitus. Which symptom reported by the patient is a. Excessive thirst
considered one of the classic clinical manifestations of diabetes?
The classic symptoms of diabetes are polydipsia (excessive
a. Excessive thirst thirst), polyuria, (excessive urine output), and polyphagia (in-
b. Gradual weight gain
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The nurse is reviewing laboratory results for the clinic patients
to be seen today. Which patient meets the diagnostic criteria for
a. A 48-year-old woman with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.4%
diabetes mellitus?
Criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus include a hemoglobin
a. A 48-year-old woman with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.4%
A1C e 6.5%, fasting plasma glucose level =126 mg/dL, 2-hour
b. A 58-year-old man with a fasting blood glucose of 111 mg/dL
plasma glucose level =200 mg/dL during an oral glucose tolerance
c. A 68-year-old woman with a random plasma glucose of 190
test, or classic symptoms of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis
mg/dL
with a random plasma glucose =200 mg/dL.
d. A 78-year-old man with a 2-hour glucose tolerance plasma
glucose of 184 mg/dL
The nurse teaches a 38-year-old man who was recently diag-
a. "I will discard any insulin bottle that is cloudy in appearance."
nosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus about insulin administration.
Which statement by the patient requires an intervention by the
Intermediate-acting insulin and combination premixed insulin will
nurse?
be cloudy in appearance. Routine hygiene such as washing with
soap and rinsing with water is adequate for skin preparation for
a. "I will discard any insulin bottle that is cloudy in appearance."
the patient during self-injections. Insulin vials that the patient is
b. "The best injection site for insulin administration is in my ab-
currently using may be left at room temperature for up to 4 weeks
domen."
unless the room temperature is higher than 86° F (30° C) or
c. "I can wash the site with soap and water before insulin admin-
below freezing (less than 32° F [0° C]). Rotating sites to different
istration."
anatomic sites is no longer recommended. Patients should rotate
d. "I may keep my insulin at room temperature (75o F) for up to a
the injection within one particular site, such as the abdomen.
month."
The nurse instructs a 22-year-old female patient with diabetes b. "I may have a hypoglycemic reaction if I drink alcohol on an
mellitus about a healthy eating plan. Which statement made by empty stomach."
the patient indicates that teaching was successful?
The risk for alcohol-induced hypoglycemia is reduced by eating
a. "I plan to lose 25 pounds this year by following a high-protein carbohydrates when drinking alcohol. Intensified insulin therapy,
diet." such as the use of an insulin pump, allows considerable flexibility
b. "I may have a hypoglycemic reaction if I drink alcohol on an in food selection and can be adjusted for alterations from usual
empty stomach." eating and exercise habits. However, saturated fat intake should
c. "I should include more fiber in my diet than a person who does still be limited to less than 7% of total daily calories. Daily fiber in-
not have diabetes." take of 14 g/1000 kcal is recommended for the general population
d. "If I use an insulin pump, I will not need to limit the amount of and for patients with diabetes mellitus. High-protein diets are not
saturated fat in my diet." recommended for weight loss.
b. A 73-year-old patient who takes propranolol (Inderal)
Which patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus would be at the highest Hypoglycemic unawareness is a condition in which a person does
risk for developing hypoglycemic unawareness?
not experience the warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
until the person becomes incoherent and combative or loses
a. A 58-year-old patient with diabetic retinopathy
consciousness. Hypoglycemic awareness is related to autonom-
b. A 73-year-old patient who takes propranolol (Inderal)
ic neuropathy of diabetes that interferes with the secretion of
c. A 19-year-old patient who is on the school track team
counterregulatory hormones that produce these symptoms. Older
d. A 24-year-old patient with a hemoglobin A1C of 8.9%
patients and patients who use â-adrenergic blockers (e.g., pro-
pranolol) are at risk for hypoglycemic unawareness.
The nurse is teaching a 60-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes
mellitus how to prevent diabetic nephropathy. Which statement b. "I can help control my blood pressure by avoiding foods high in
made by the patient indicates that teaching has been successful? salt."
a. "Smokeless tobacco products decrease the risk of kidney dam- Diabetic nephropathy is a microvascular complication associated
age." with damage to the small blood vessels that supply the glomeruli of
b. "I can help control my blood pressure by avoiding foods high in the kidney. Risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropa-
salt." thy include hypertension, genetic predisposition, smoking, and
c. "I should have yearly dilated eye examinations by an ophthal- chronic hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes are screened for
mologist." nephropathy annually with a measurement of the albumin-to-cre-
d. "I will avoid hypoglycemia by keeping my blood sugar above 180 atinine ratio in urine; a serum creatinine is also needed.
mg/dL."
A 54-year-old patient admitted with type 2 diabetes asks the nurse
what "type 2" means. What is the most appropriate response by b. "With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased, and insulin
the nurse? resistance is increased."
a. "With type 2 diabetes, the body of the pancreas becomes
1/7
, GRADE A+ Diabetes Mellitus NCLEX Style Questions With ans 2025
inflamed." In type 2 diabetes mellitus, the secretion of insulin by the pan-
"With type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion is decreased, and insulin
b. creas is reduced, and/or the cells of the body become resistant
resistance is increased."
to insulin. The pancreas becomes inflamed with pancreatitis. The
c. "With type 2 diabetes, the patient is totally dependent on an
patient is totally dependent on exogenous insulin and may have
outside source of insulin."
had autoantibodies destroy the ² c- ells in the pancreas with type 1
d. "With type 2 diabetes, the body produces autoantibodies that
diabetes mellitus.
destroy ² c- ells in the pancreas."
d. Glycosylated hemoglobin level
The nurse caring for a patient hospitalized with diabetes mellitus A glycosylated hemoglobin level detects the amount of glucose
would look for which laboratory test result to obtain information on that is bound to red blood cells (RBCs). When circulating glu-
the patient's past glucose control? cose levels are high, glucose attaches to the RBCs and remains
there for the life of the blood cell, which is approximately 120
a. Prealbumin level days. Thus the test can give an indication of glycemic control
b. Urine ketone level over approximately 2 to 3 months. The prealbumin level is used
c. Fasting glucose level to establish nutritional status and is unrelated to past glucose
d. Glycosylated hemoglobin level control. The urine ketone level will only show that hyperglycemia
or starvation is probably currently occurring. The fasting glucose
level only indicates current glucose control.
The nurse has been teaching a patient with diabetes mellitus
how to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). During
evaluation of the patient's technique, the nurse identifies a need
a. Chooses a puncture site in the center of the finger pad
for additional teaching when the patient does what?
The patient should select a site on the sides of the fingertips, not
a. Chooses a puncture site in the center of the finger pad.
on the center of the finger pad as this area contains many nerve
b. Washes hands with soap and water to cleanse the site to be
endings and would be unnecessarily painful. Washing hands,
used.
warming the finger, and knowing the results that indicate good
c. Warms the finger before puncturing the finger to obtain a drop
control all show understanding of the teaching.
of blood.
d. Tells the nurse that the result of 110 mg/dL indicates good
control of diabetes.
The nurse is assigned to the care of a 64-year-old patient diag-
nosed with type 2 diabetes. In formulating a teaching plan that
a. Assess patient's perception of what it means to have diabetes.
encourages the patient to actively participate in management of
the diabetes, what should be the nurse's initial intervention?
In order for teaching to be effective, the first step is to assess the
a. patient. Teaching can be individualized once the nurse is aware
b. Assess patient's perception of what it means to have diabetes. of what a diagnosis of diabetes means to the patient. After the
Ask the patient to write down current knowledge about diabetes.
initial assessment, current knowledge can be assessed, and goals
c. Set goals for the patient to actively participate in managing his
should be set with the patient. Assuming responsibility for all of the
diabetes.
patient's care will not facilitate the patient's health.
d. Assume responsibility for all of the patient's care to decrease
stress level.
The nurse is beginning to teach a diabetic patient about vascular
complications of diabetes. What information is appropriate for the b. Microangiopathy is specific to diabetes and most commonly
nurse to include? affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin.
a. Macroangiopathy does not occur in type 1 diabetes but rather Microangiopathy occurs in diabetes mellitus. When it affects the
in type 2 diabetics who have severe disease. eyes, it is called diabetic retinopathy. When the kidneys are af-
b. Microangiopathy is specific to diabetes and most commonly fected, the patient has nephropathy. When the skin is affected,
affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin. it can lead to diabetic foot ulcers. Macroangiopathy can occur in
c. Renal damage resulting from changes in large- and medi- either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and contributes to cerebrovascular,
um-sized blood vessels can be prevented by careful glucose cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular disease. Sexual impoten-
control. cy and slowed gastric emptying result from microangiopathy and
d. Macroangiopathy causes slowed gastric emptying and the sex- neuropathy.
ual impotency experienced by a majority of patients with diabetes.
The nurse is evaluating a 45-year-old patient diagnosed with type
2 diabetes mellitus. Which symptom reported by the patient is a. Excessive thirst
considered one of the classic clinical manifestations of diabetes?
The classic symptoms of diabetes are polydipsia (excessive
a. Excessive thirst thirst), polyuria, (excessive urine output), and polyphagia (in-
b. Gradual weight gain
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