DIABETES EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Marlisa has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1. She asks Nurse Errol what
this means. What is the best response by the nurse? Select all that apply.
A. Your alpha cells should be able to secrete insulin, but cannot
B. The exocrine function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin
C. Without insulin, you will develop DKA
D. The endocrine function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin
E. It means your pancreas cannot secrete insulin - Answer- C, D, E
One function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin. The endocrine function of the
pancreas is to secrete insulin. The endocrine, not the exocrine, function of the pancreas
is to secrete insulin. Insulin is secreted by the beta, not the alpha, cells of the pancreas.
A consequence of diabetes mellitus type 1 is that without insulin, severe metabolic
disturbances, such as ketoacidosis (DKA) will result.
Dr. Shrunk orders intravenous (IV) insulin for Rita, a client with a blood sugar of 563.
Nurse AJ administers insulin lispro (Humalog) intravenously (IV). What does the best
evaluation of the nurse reveal? Select all that apply.
A. The nurse could have given the insulin subcutaneously
B. The nurse should have contacted the physician
C. The nurse should have used regular insulin (Humulin R)
D. The nurse used the correct insulin - Answer- B, C
Regular insulin is the only insulin that can be given intravenously (IV). The nurse did not
use correct insulin as it was not regular insulin. Contact the provider to clarify the order,
regular insulin is the only insulin that can be given intravenously (IV). The nurse cannot
give the insulin subcutaneously when it is ordered to be given intravenously (IV).
A clinical instructor teaches a class for the public about diabetes mellitus. Which
individual does the nurse assess as being at highest risk for developing diabetes?
A. The 50 year old who does not get any physical exercise
B. The 56 year old who drinks 3 glasses of wine each evening
C. The 42 year old who is 50 pounds overweight
D. The 38 year old who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes/day - Answer- C
Obesity increases the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus due to over stimulation
of the endocrine system. Exercise is important, but lack of exercise is not as big a risk
factor as obesity. Smoking is a serious health concern but is not a specific risk factor for
, diabetes. Consuming alcohol is associated with liver disease but is not as high a risk
factor for diabetes as obesity.
Jansen is receiving metformin (Glucophage). What will be the best plan of the nurse
with regard to patient education with this drug? Select all that apply.
A. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin
B. It must be taken with meals
C. It decreases sugar production in the liver
D. It inhibits absorption of carbohydrates
E. It reduces insulin resistance - Answer- B, C, E
Metformin (Glucophage) reduces insulin resistance, decreases sugar production in the
liver, and should be taken with meals for the best absorption and effect. It does not
stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and does not inhibit the absorption of
carbohydrates.
Serafica who has diabetes mellitus type 1 is found unresponsive in the clinical setting.
Which nursing action is a priority? arrange from 1 to 4.
1. Treat the client for hypoglycemia.
2. Call the physician STAT.
3. Assess the vital signs.
4. Call a code.
A. 1, 2, 3, 4
B. 1, 3, 2, 4
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 4, 3, 2, 1 - Answer- A
When a patient with diabetes mellitus type 1 is unresponsive, the nurse should focus on
and treat for hypoglycemia, as this is more likely than hyperglycemia. This is an
emergency situation where the nurse must act before calling the physician. Vital signs
should be taken after the client is treated for hypoglycemia. Assessment for ABCs
should precede calling a code; there is no information that the client is not breathing.
Knowing that gluconeogenesis helps to maintain blood levels, a nurse should:
A. Document weight changes because of fatty acid mobilization
B. Evaluate the pt's sensitivity to low room temperatures because of decreased adipose
tissue insulation
C. Protect the patient form sources of infection because of decreased cellular protein
deposits
D. Do all of the above - Answer- D
100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Marlisa has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1. She asks Nurse Errol what
this means. What is the best response by the nurse? Select all that apply.
A. Your alpha cells should be able to secrete insulin, but cannot
B. The exocrine function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin
C. Without insulin, you will develop DKA
D. The endocrine function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin
E. It means your pancreas cannot secrete insulin - Answer- C, D, E
One function of your pancreas is to secrete insulin. The endocrine function of the
pancreas is to secrete insulin. The endocrine, not the exocrine, function of the pancreas
is to secrete insulin. Insulin is secreted by the beta, not the alpha, cells of the pancreas.
A consequence of diabetes mellitus type 1 is that without insulin, severe metabolic
disturbances, such as ketoacidosis (DKA) will result.
Dr. Shrunk orders intravenous (IV) insulin for Rita, a client with a blood sugar of 563.
Nurse AJ administers insulin lispro (Humalog) intravenously (IV). What does the best
evaluation of the nurse reveal? Select all that apply.
A. The nurse could have given the insulin subcutaneously
B. The nurse should have contacted the physician
C. The nurse should have used regular insulin (Humulin R)
D. The nurse used the correct insulin - Answer- B, C
Regular insulin is the only insulin that can be given intravenously (IV). The nurse did not
use correct insulin as it was not regular insulin. Contact the provider to clarify the order,
regular insulin is the only insulin that can be given intravenously (IV). The nurse cannot
give the insulin subcutaneously when it is ordered to be given intravenously (IV).
A clinical instructor teaches a class for the public about diabetes mellitus. Which
individual does the nurse assess as being at highest risk for developing diabetes?
A. The 50 year old who does not get any physical exercise
B. The 56 year old who drinks 3 glasses of wine each evening
C. The 42 year old who is 50 pounds overweight
D. The 38 year old who smokes 1 pack of cigarettes/day - Answer- C
Obesity increases the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus due to over stimulation
of the endocrine system. Exercise is important, but lack of exercise is not as big a risk
factor as obesity. Smoking is a serious health concern but is not a specific risk factor for
, diabetes. Consuming alcohol is associated with liver disease but is not as high a risk
factor for diabetes as obesity.
Jansen is receiving metformin (Glucophage). What will be the best plan of the nurse
with regard to patient education with this drug? Select all that apply.
A. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin
B. It must be taken with meals
C. It decreases sugar production in the liver
D. It inhibits absorption of carbohydrates
E. It reduces insulin resistance - Answer- B, C, E
Metformin (Glucophage) reduces insulin resistance, decreases sugar production in the
liver, and should be taken with meals for the best absorption and effect. It does not
stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and does not inhibit the absorption of
carbohydrates.
Serafica who has diabetes mellitus type 1 is found unresponsive in the clinical setting.
Which nursing action is a priority? arrange from 1 to 4.
1. Treat the client for hypoglycemia.
2. Call the physician STAT.
3. Assess the vital signs.
4. Call a code.
A. 1, 2, 3, 4
B. 1, 3, 2, 4
C. 3, 1, 2, 4
D. 4, 3, 2, 1 - Answer- A
When a patient with diabetes mellitus type 1 is unresponsive, the nurse should focus on
and treat for hypoglycemia, as this is more likely than hyperglycemia. This is an
emergency situation where the nurse must act before calling the physician. Vital signs
should be taken after the client is treated for hypoglycemia. Assessment for ABCs
should precede calling a code; there is no information that the client is not breathing.
Knowing that gluconeogenesis helps to maintain blood levels, a nurse should:
A. Document weight changes because of fatty acid mobilization
B. Evaluate the pt's sensitivity to low room temperatures because of decreased adipose
tissue insulation
C. Protect the patient form sources of infection because of decreased cellular protein
deposits
D. Do all of the above - Answer- D
