2025/26 CDE PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS #3 | 187
QUESTIONS | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is the first step in the process of diabetes self management education?
A. Assessment
B. Goal setting
C. Diagnosis
D. Referral Answer - A. Assessment
Which of the following options is an outcome of personal record keeping in
relation to physical activity, according to recent studies?
A. Those who keep logs of physical activity are more adherent to other
elements of therapy (ie diet, medication)
B. Those who keep exercise logs are more likely to enroll in organized exercise
programs (ie gym memberships, classes)
C. Keeping a physical activity log is associated with a higher level of self efficacy
D. The obligation of record keeping has been identified as a barrier to exercise
by study participants Answer - C. Keeping a physical activity log is associated
with a higher level of self efficacy
Consider the following pt: male, age 46, previously sedentary, mild HTN and
hyperlipidemia (both adequately controlled with medications), T2DM, and a
BMI of 26. If this pt wishes to begin a moderate-intensity exercise regimen,
what additional assessment may be warranted?
A. Stress test with ECG
B. DEXA scan to assess bone density and strength
,C. Ankle-Brachial index to rule out peripheral arterial disease
D. None, as BP and cholesterol are being controlled and exercise is only
moderate intensity Answer - A. Stress test with ECG
A stress test with ECG may be warranted, as this person is over 40, previously
sedentary, has risk factors for CVD, and is beginning a program that is more
intense than brisk walking, which is mild intensity.
In your role as a diabetes educator for a clinic, you both assess and instruct pts
on a variety of self-care skills. Which teaching strategy provides the best
opportunity to both assess and instruct on self-administration of insulin?
A. A written quiz in which the patient puts insulin administration steps in order
B. A demonstration and return demonstration of insulin administration
C. A video that can be viewed and reviewed on proper insulin administration
technique
D. A printed handout with pictures depicting steps of insulin administration,
followed by verbal acknowledgement of understanding Answer - B. A
demonstration and return demonstration of insulin administration
The following policies are part of your DSME program: asking pts if there are
any dietary preferences or restrictions; inviting family members to participate;
and being sensitive to your rate of speech and tone of voice. These policies
address which specific type of consideration?
A. Readiness to change variation among your patients
B. Potential low literacy/numeracy levels among your patients
C. Cultural characteristics/barriers of your population
D. Poor family and social support Answer - C. Cultural characteristics/barriers
of your population
According to the ADA consensus statement on managing preexisting diabetes
for pregnancy (2008), what is the optimal glycemic target for pregnant women
,with preexisting diabetes (assuming the target may be reached without
excessive hypoglycemia)?
A. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 90 mg/dL; peak postprandial <120 mg/dL;
A1C <5.5%
B. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 99 mg/dL; peak postprandial <129 mg/dL;
A1C <6%
C. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 70 to 100 mg/dL; peak postprandial <120 mg/dL;
A1C <6.5%
D. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 70 to 110 mg/dL; peak postprandial <140 mg/dL;
A1C <7% Answer - B. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 99 mg/dL; peak
postprandial <129 mg/dL; A1C <6%
UPDATED 2019: Fasting <95 mg/dL; 1 hr post prandial <140 mg/dL; 2 hr post
prandial <120 mg/dL; A1C <6%
During the initial assessment process, your pt answers the question, "How
important is it for you to make this change right now?" with a 9 our of 10 (very
important) and answers the question, "How confident are you that you will be
able to make this change?" with a 2 out of 10 (not very confident). In
customizing hr DSME plan, what should your focus be?
A. Providing materials and experiences to enhance her knowledge and skills
B. Addressing psychosocial needs, such as accepting her diagnosis and
managing stress levels
C. Highlighting the benefits of good diabetes management as a way to
encourage behavior change
D. Explaingin the two questions further to confirm understanding, as it is very
uncommon for a pt to rate the readiness to change elements this far apart
Answer - A. Providing materials and experiences to enhance her knowledge
and skills
, It is important to assess potential barriers to self-monitoring of bg, especially
for pts who are not adhering to their plan of care recommendations. Which of
the following barriers was NOT one cited by patients in recent studies?
A. Cost of testing supplies
B. Discomfort of finger sticks
C. Lack of instruction and support
D. Misplacement of small items Answer - D. Misplacement of small items
When assessing for risk of hypoglycemia in relation to exercise, which element
of the patient record is most important to consider?
A. The patients typical signs and symptoms with hypoglycemia
B. Current patient physical/glycemic status (wt, BMI, A1C)
C. Timing and content (ie carb content) of meals in relation to activity
D. Medication regimen: types, dose, and timing Answer - D. Medication
regimen: types, dose, and timing
Which of the following behaviors is the MOST likely indication that the pt is at a
very low level of readiness to change?
A. The pt becomes tearful as you explain how to keep a food diary
B. The pt watches your demonstration but does not say anything
C. The pt volunteers to answer a review question at the end of class but gets
the answer wrong
D. The pt denies that she has diabetes and disagrees with the doctor's referral
to DSME Answer - D. The pt denies that she has diabetes and disagrees with
the doctor's referral to DSME
According to ADA Standards, which statement is NOT true regarding medical
nutrition therapy and diabetes?
QUESTIONS | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
What is the first step in the process of diabetes self management education?
A. Assessment
B. Goal setting
C. Diagnosis
D. Referral Answer - A. Assessment
Which of the following options is an outcome of personal record keeping in
relation to physical activity, according to recent studies?
A. Those who keep logs of physical activity are more adherent to other
elements of therapy (ie diet, medication)
B. Those who keep exercise logs are more likely to enroll in organized exercise
programs (ie gym memberships, classes)
C. Keeping a physical activity log is associated with a higher level of self efficacy
D. The obligation of record keeping has been identified as a barrier to exercise
by study participants Answer - C. Keeping a physical activity log is associated
with a higher level of self efficacy
Consider the following pt: male, age 46, previously sedentary, mild HTN and
hyperlipidemia (both adequately controlled with medications), T2DM, and a
BMI of 26. If this pt wishes to begin a moderate-intensity exercise regimen,
what additional assessment may be warranted?
A. Stress test with ECG
B. DEXA scan to assess bone density and strength
,C. Ankle-Brachial index to rule out peripheral arterial disease
D. None, as BP and cholesterol are being controlled and exercise is only
moderate intensity Answer - A. Stress test with ECG
A stress test with ECG may be warranted, as this person is over 40, previously
sedentary, has risk factors for CVD, and is beginning a program that is more
intense than brisk walking, which is mild intensity.
In your role as a diabetes educator for a clinic, you both assess and instruct pts
on a variety of self-care skills. Which teaching strategy provides the best
opportunity to both assess and instruct on self-administration of insulin?
A. A written quiz in which the patient puts insulin administration steps in order
B. A demonstration and return demonstration of insulin administration
C. A video that can be viewed and reviewed on proper insulin administration
technique
D. A printed handout with pictures depicting steps of insulin administration,
followed by verbal acknowledgement of understanding Answer - B. A
demonstration and return demonstration of insulin administration
The following policies are part of your DSME program: asking pts if there are
any dietary preferences or restrictions; inviting family members to participate;
and being sensitive to your rate of speech and tone of voice. These policies
address which specific type of consideration?
A. Readiness to change variation among your patients
B. Potential low literacy/numeracy levels among your patients
C. Cultural characteristics/barriers of your population
D. Poor family and social support Answer - C. Cultural characteristics/barriers
of your population
According to the ADA consensus statement on managing preexisting diabetes
for pregnancy (2008), what is the optimal glycemic target for pregnant women
,with preexisting diabetes (assuming the target may be reached without
excessive hypoglycemia)?
A. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 90 mg/dL; peak postprandial <120 mg/dL;
A1C <5.5%
B. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 99 mg/dL; peak postprandial <129 mg/dL;
A1C <6%
C. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 70 to 100 mg/dL; peak postprandial <120 mg/dL;
A1C <6.5%
D. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 70 to 110 mg/dL; peak postprandial <140 mg/dL;
A1C <7% Answer - B. Pre-meal/fasting glucose: 60 to 99 mg/dL; peak
postprandial <129 mg/dL; A1C <6%
UPDATED 2019: Fasting <95 mg/dL; 1 hr post prandial <140 mg/dL; 2 hr post
prandial <120 mg/dL; A1C <6%
During the initial assessment process, your pt answers the question, "How
important is it for you to make this change right now?" with a 9 our of 10 (very
important) and answers the question, "How confident are you that you will be
able to make this change?" with a 2 out of 10 (not very confident). In
customizing hr DSME plan, what should your focus be?
A. Providing materials and experiences to enhance her knowledge and skills
B. Addressing psychosocial needs, such as accepting her diagnosis and
managing stress levels
C. Highlighting the benefits of good diabetes management as a way to
encourage behavior change
D. Explaingin the two questions further to confirm understanding, as it is very
uncommon for a pt to rate the readiness to change elements this far apart
Answer - A. Providing materials and experiences to enhance her knowledge
and skills
, It is important to assess potential barriers to self-monitoring of bg, especially
for pts who are not adhering to their plan of care recommendations. Which of
the following barriers was NOT one cited by patients in recent studies?
A. Cost of testing supplies
B. Discomfort of finger sticks
C. Lack of instruction and support
D. Misplacement of small items Answer - D. Misplacement of small items
When assessing for risk of hypoglycemia in relation to exercise, which element
of the patient record is most important to consider?
A. The patients typical signs and symptoms with hypoglycemia
B. Current patient physical/glycemic status (wt, BMI, A1C)
C. Timing and content (ie carb content) of meals in relation to activity
D. Medication regimen: types, dose, and timing Answer - D. Medication
regimen: types, dose, and timing
Which of the following behaviors is the MOST likely indication that the pt is at a
very low level of readiness to change?
A. The pt becomes tearful as you explain how to keep a food diary
B. The pt watches your demonstration but does not say anything
C. The pt volunteers to answer a review question at the end of class but gets
the answer wrong
D. The pt denies that she has diabetes and disagrees with the doctor's referral
to DSME Answer - D. The pt denies that she has diabetes and disagrees with
the doctor's referral to DSME
According to ADA Standards, which statement is NOT true regarding medical
nutrition therapy and diabetes?
