CDE exam Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE- CDCES)
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026-2027 NEW VERSION
Which one of the following gastrointestinal conditions is associated with diabetic
autonomic neuropathy?
A. Gastric ulcer.
B. Diverticulosis.
C. Gastroparesis.
D. Irritable bowel syndrome. - answer>>>C. Gastroparesis.
Mrs. Mirabel, a 72-year-old client with type 2 diabetes, has a history of unexplained
dyspnea. She is inactive, overweight and wants to start an aquafit program. What initial
advice should the diabetes educator provide?
A. Test her blood glucose before her aquafit class.
B. Eat a snack before her aquafit class. C. Attend her aquafit class 2 hours after eating.
D. Start her aquafit class after a negative ECG stress test. - answer>>>D. Start her aquafit
class after a negative ECG stress test.
During the initial appointment with a client, the diabetes educator notices the client is
avoiding eye contact, wringing her hands, and continuously clearing her throat. What
would be the most appropriate teaching strategy adjustment in this situation?
A. Offer a drink of water and provide information on SMBG to ensure the client learns this
important skill.
B. Provide a drink of water and provide information on SMBG to ensure the client learns
this important skill.
C. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's concerns and offer basic information to
promote safe self-management.
D. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's understanding and continue with the
planned education. - answer>>>C. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's
concerns and offer basic information to promote safe self-management.
,-
You normally start your education with counselling on the diagnosis of diabetes, blood
glucose ranges, and glycemic targets for patients.
Anita was surprised that her doctor could diagnose her with diabetes with a couple of
blood tests. You peruse Anita's blood work. Which of the following test results would be
positive for the diagnosis of diabetes?
A.
Fasting plasma glucose of 6.2 mmol/L
B.
Random plasma glucose of 9.8 mmol/L
C.
A two-hour OGTT reading of 13 mmol/L
D.
A1C of 6.3% - answer>>>The correct answer is C. Answer A is incorrect because a fasting
reading would have to be ≥
7.0 mmol/L. Answer B is incorrect because the random plasma glucose would have to be >
11.0 mmol/L. Answer D is incorrect because an A1C of ≥ 6.5% would be diagnostic for
diabetes.
You start discussing glycemic targets with Anita. Which of the following is a target for
most people with type 2 diabetes?
A.
A fasting blood glucose of 5.0-9.0 mmol/L
B.
A1C of less than or equal to 7.0%
C.
Two-hour postprandial reading of 4.0-7.0 mmol/L
D.
A time below range (< 3.9 mmol/L) of < 10% - answer>>>The correct answer is B. Answer
A is incorrect because the fasting blood glucose target would be 4.0-7.0 mmol/L. Answer C
is incorrect because the two-hour postprandial reading should be between 5.0 and 10.0
,(or 5.0-8.0 if A1C targets are not being met). Answer D is incorrect because the time
below range of values < 3.9 mmol/L (includes Levels 1 and 2) should be < 4% for most
individuals with diabetes.
Anita was surprised that most people with diabetes have the same blood sugar targets.
You explain that some people need to customize these targets. Which of the following is a
special consideration for adjusting glycemic targets?
A.
Age > 65 years old
B.
Presence of diabetes-related complications
C.
Absence of hyperglycemic symptoms
D.
Hypoglycemic unawareness - answer>>>The correct answer is D. A person with
hypoglycemic unawareness requires a reduction in glycemic targets as a more aggressive
diabetes management strategy may precipitate hypoglycemic episodes in the absence of
an intact autonomic hypoglycemic response. Age is not a strict qualifier for glycemic
target reduction; age must be considered within a context of frailty for glycemic target
reductions. The presence of diabetes-related complications has no influence on adjusting
glycemic targets nor does simply the absence of hyperglycemic symptoms, as diabetes is a
silent disease wherein complications typically develop prior to the presentation of
symptoms such as neuropathic foot pain.
Anita mentions that she was thinking of becoming pregnant, and she is wondering if she
will need to adjust her pregnancy plan. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate
response?
A.
"Anita, you can become pregnant, but we will need to do some extra planning to make
sure we keep you and your baby healthy through the entire pregnancy."
B.
"Anita, think long and hard about it, as most women with diabetes have complications."
C.
, -
"Anita, don't worry about it; diabetes and blood sugar control has very little impact on a
healthy pregnancy."
D.
"Anita, problems during pregnancy usually occur in people with type 1, not type 2
diabetes." - answer>>>The correct answer is A. Answer B is not appropriate because
women with diabetes can still become pregnant and deliver a healthy child. Answer C is
not appropriate because uncontrolled blood glucose control has an impact on
complications during pregnancy. Answer D is not appropriate because pregnancy issues
can occur in people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Which of the following problems is associated with poor glycemic control during
pregnancy?
A.
Low birth weight for gestational age
B.
Increased risk of infant hyperglycemia immediately postpartum
C.
Ectopic pregnancy
D.
Progression of diabetic retinopathy - answer>>>The correct answer is D. Progression of
diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy is correlated with poor glycemic control. Other
potential complications of poor glycemic control in a person who is pregnant include
spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, preeclampsia, and stillbirth.
Which of the following blood glucose readings would be in the target range during
pregnancy?
A.
Fasting reading of 6.5 mmol/L
B.
One-hour postprandial reading of 7.2 mmol/L
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026-2027 NEW VERSION
Which one of the following gastrointestinal conditions is associated with diabetic
autonomic neuropathy?
A. Gastric ulcer.
B. Diverticulosis.
C. Gastroparesis.
D. Irritable bowel syndrome. - answer>>>C. Gastroparesis.
Mrs. Mirabel, a 72-year-old client with type 2 diabetes, has a history of unexplained
dyspnea. She is inactive, overweight and wants to start an aquafit program. What initial
advice should the diabetes educator provide?
A. Test her blood glucose before her aquafit class.
B. Eat a snack before her aquafit class. C. Attend her aquafit class 2 hours after eating.
D. Start her aquafit class after a negative ECG stress test. - answer>>>D. Start her aquafit
class after a negative ECG stress test.
During the initial appointment with a client, the diabetes educator notices the client is
avoiding eye contact, wringing her hands, and continuously clearing her throat. What
would be the most appropriate teaching strategy adjustment in this situation?
A. Offer a drink of water and provide information on SMBG to ensure the client learns this
important skill.
B. Provide a drink of water and provide information on SMBG to ensure the client learns
this important skill.
C. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's concerns and offer basic information to
promote safe self-management.
D. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's understanding and continue with the
planned education. - answer>>>C. Use open ended questions to clarify the client's
concerns and offer basic information to promote safe self-management.
,-
You normally start your education with counselling on the diagnosis of diabetes, blood
glucose ranges, and glycemic targets for patients.
Anita was surprised that her doctor could diagnose her with diabetes with a couple of
blood tests. You peruse Anita's blood work. Which of the following test results would be
positive for the diagnosis of diabetes?
A.
Fasting plasma glucose of 6.2 mmol/L
B.
Random plasma glucose of 9.8 mmol/L
C.
A two-hour OGTT reading of 13 mmol/L
D.
A1C of 6.3% - answer>>>The correct answer is C. Answer A is incorrect because a fasting
reading would have to be ≥
7.0 mmol/L. Answer B is incorrect because the random plasma glucose would have to be >
11.0 mmol/L. Answer D is incorrect because an A1C of ≥ 6.5% would be diagnostic for
diabetes.
You start discussing glycemic targets with Anita. Which of the following is a target for
most people with type 2 diabetes?
A.
A fasting blood glucose of 5.0-9.0 mmol/L
B.
A1C of less than or equal to 7.0%
C.
Two-hour postprandial reading of 4.0-7.0 mmol/L
D.
A time below range (< 3.9 mmol/L) of < 10% - answer>>>The correct answer is B. Answer
A is incorrect because the fasting blood glucose target would be 4.0-7.0 mmol/L. Answer C
is incorrect because the two-hour postprandial reading should be between 5.0 and 10.0
,(or 5.0-8.0 if A1C targets are not being met). Answer D is incorrect because the time
below range of values < 3.9 mmol/L (includes Levels 1 and 2) should be < 4% for most
individuals with diabetes.
Anita was surprised that most people with diabetes have the same blood sugar targets.
You explain that some people need to customize these targets. Which of the following is a
special consideration for adjusting glycemic targets?
A.
Age > 65 years old
B.
Presence of diabetes-related complications
C.
Absence of hyperglycemic symptoms
D.
Hypoglycemic unawareness - answer>>>The correct answer is D. A person with
hypoglycemic unawareness requires a reduction in glycemic targets as a more aggressive
diabetes management strategy may precipitate hypoglycemic episodes in the absence of
an intact autonomic hypoglycemic response. Age is not a strict qualifier for glycemic
target reduction; age must be considered within a context of frailty for glycemic target
reductions. The presence of diabetes-related complications has no influence on adjusting
glycemic targets nor does simply the absence of hyperglycemic symptoms, as diabetes is a
silent disease wherein complications typically develop prior to the presentation of
symptoms such as neuropathic foot pain.
Anita mentions that she was thinking of becoming pregnant, and she is wondering if she
will need to adjust her pregnancy plan. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate
response?
A.
"Anita, you can become pregnant, but we will need to do some extra planning to make
sure we keep you and your baby healthy through the entire pregnancy."
B.
"Anita, think long and hard about it, as most women with diabetes have complications."
C.
, -
"Anita, don't worry about it; diabetes and blood sugar control has very little impact on a
healthy pregnancy."
D.
"Anita, problems during pregnancy usually occur in people with type 1, not type 2
diabetes." - answer>>>The correct answer is A. Answer B is not appropriate because
women with diabetes can still become pregnant and deliver a healthy child. Answer C is
not appropriate because uncontrolled blood glucose control has an impact on
complications during pregnancy. Answer D is not appropriate because pregnancy issues
can occur in people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Which of the following problems is associated with poor glycemic control during
pregnancy?
A.
Low birth weight for gestational age
B.
Increased risk of infant hyperglycemia immediately postpartum
C.
Ectopic pregnancy
D.
Progression of diabetic retinopathy - answer>>>The correct answer is D. Progression of
diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy is correlated with poor glycemic control. Other
potential complications of poor glycemic control in a person who is pregnant include
spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations, preeclampsia, and stillbirth.
Which of the following blood glucose readings would be in the target range during
pregnancy?
A.
Fasting reading of 6.5 mmol/L
B.
One-hour postprandial reading of 7.2 mmol/L
