CDCES EXAM 2026 WITH 100%
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. If a patient with a history of ASCVD has an LDL cholesterol level of 85
mg/dl, what would be an appropriate next step in their management
plan?
Monitor blood glucose levels more frequently.
Increase dietary protein intake.
Focus solely on weight management.
Implement lifestyle changes and consider medication
adjustments to lower LDL cholesterol.
2. If a patient consistently injects regular insulin into the same site, what
potential issue might arise?
No change in blood glucose levels
Altered absorption rates leading to unpredictable blood
glucose levels
Improved insulin sensitivity
Increased insulin resistance
3. Who is at a higher risk for developing coronary artery disease due to
diabetes, women or men?
Women
Neither
Both equally
Men
,4. Why is it important to include both prescription and over-the-counter
medications in the DSMES Assessment?
Only prescription medications are relevant for diabetes
management.
Including all medications ensures comprehensive management
of the patient's diabetes.
OTC medications do not affect diabetes control.
Vitamins and supplements are not necessary for diabetes
management.
5. Describe why beta blockers pose a risk for patients with hypoglycemia
unawareness.
Beta blockers enhance glucagon release, preventing
hypoglycemia.
Beta blockers have no effect on blood glucose levels.
Beta blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia and
reduce the body's response to low blood glucose levels.
Beta blockers increase insulin sensitivity, making hypoglycemia
less likely.
6. You can calculate a PT ISF using _to calculate the expected glucose-
lowering effect of 1 unit of fasting insulin:
1800/TDD
800/TDD
500/TDD
2000/TDD
,7. Why is resistance training or high impact exercise not recommended for
patients with unstable proliferative retinopathy?
These exercises are beneficial for overall fitness.
These exercises can increase the risk of retinal detachment or
other complications.
These exercises have no effect on eye health.
These exercises improve blood flow to the eyes.
8. What is the estimated percentage of pregnancies complicated by
gestational diabetes?
20%
< 1%
10%
2%
9. Describe the relationship between serum osmolality and mental
functioning in patients experiencing HHS and DKA.
Serum osmolality is a key indicator of hydration status and can
affect mental functioning in patients with HHS and DKA.
Mental functioning is solely determined by blood glucose levels.
Serum osmolality is unrelated to mental functioning in HHS and
DKA.
Serum osmolality only affects physical health, not mental
functioning.
10. What instructional strategy involves patients teaching each other a skill
after it has been demonstrated?
Online tutorials
, Lecture-based learning
Discussion group
Individual study
11. What type of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is covered by
Medicare?
None of the above
Both ADJUNCTIVE and NON ADJUNCTIVE CGM
NON ADJUNCTIVE CGM
ADJUNCTIVE CGM
12. Why is it important for patients with diabetes to evaluate their dietary
choices regularly?
It allows patients to avoid all fats in their diet.
It focuses solely on calorie counting without considering
nutritional quality.
It ensures that patients are consuming enough carbohydrates.
Regular evaluation of dietary choices helps in setting or
modifying nutritional goals to better manage diabetes.
13. The compliance perspective on behavioral change represents which of
the following views?
Ceasing high-risk behavior involves progressing through stages
of change.
The informed patient is the expert in his or her own disease and
has the right to take part in his care.
The patient is the recipient of care; the clinician, as an expert,
is responsible for care.
, The theory that adults learn differently from the way children
learn.
14. What is the rule of 500 estimate for a 75 kg man for 1 unit of insulin?
7 (1 unit: 7 grams carbs)
9 (1 unit: 9 grams carbs)
11 (1 unit: 11 grams carbs)
5 (1 unit: 5 grams carbs)
15. What is the recommended starting bolus dose for insulin administration
according to the algorithm provided?
50% of current basal
10% of current basal
5 units
0.1 units/kg
16. Discuss the significance of the difference in myocardial infarction rates
between Caucasian and African American patients with diabetes.
All ethnic groups experience the same risk for myocardial
infarction.
Caucasian patients have better overall health than African
American patients.
Myocardial infarction is unrelated to diabetes management.
The difference in myocardial infarction rates highlights the
need for tailored prevention strategies in diabetes
management based on ethnicity.
17. Insulin does not cross the placenta and has a long history of being safe.
Thus, it is used as the drug of choice for treatment of Gestational
, Diabetes Mellitus.
Metformin
Acarbose
Glyburide
Insulin
18. Describe the significance of DPP inhibitors in the management of
diabetes compared to other oral medications.
DPP inhibitors are less effective than other medications in
lowering blood glucose levels.
DPP inhibitors are the only class of medications that can be used
for all types of diabetes.
DPP inhibitors are primarily used for weight loss rather than
blood glucose control.
DPP inhibitors are significant because they have a very low
incidence of gastrointestinal upset, making them more
tolerable for patients.
19. What is one condition under which Continuous Glucose Monitoring
(CGM) should not be trusted?
After a meal
Not during sensor day 1
When blood glucose is stable
When using insulin
20. Describe why Linagliptin does not require dose reduction in patients
with renal impairment compared to other DPP 4 inhibitors.
Linagliptin is metabolized by the liver, which is unaffected by
ACCURATE ANSWERS
1. If a patient with a history of ASCVD has an LDL cholesterol level of 85
mg/dl, what would be an appropriate next step in their management
plan?
Monitor blood glucose levels more frequently.
Increase dietary protein intake.
Focus solely on weight management.
Implement lifestyle changes and consider medication
adjustments to lower LDL cholesterol.
2. If a patient consistently injects regular insulin into the same site, what
potential issue might arise?
No change in blood glucose levels
Altered absorption rates leading to unpredictable blood
glucose levels
Improved insulin sensitivity
Increased insulin resistance
3. Who is at a higher risk for developing coronary artery disease due to
diabetes, women or men?
Women
Neither
Both equally
Men
,4. Why is it important to include both prescription and over-the-counter
medications in the DSMES Assessment?
Only prescription medications are relevant for diabetes
management.
Including all medications ensures comprehensive management
of the patient's diabetes.
OTC medications do not affect diabetes control.
Vitamins and supplements are not necessary for diabetes
management.
5. Describe why beta blockers pose a risk for patients with hypoglycemia
unawareness.
Beta blockers enhance glucagon release, preventing
hypoglycemia.
Beta blockers have no effect on blood glucose levels.
Beta blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia and
reduce the body's response to low blood glucose levels.
Beta blockers increase insulin sensitivity, making hypoglycemia
less likely.
6. You can calculate a PT ISF using _to calculate the expected glucose-
lowering effect of 1 unit of fasting insulin:
1800/TDD
800/TDD
500/TDD
2000/TDD
,7. Why is resistance training or high impact exercise not recommended for
patients with unstable proliferative retinopathy?
These exercises are beneficial for overall fitness.
These exercises can increase the risk of retinal detachment or
other complications.
These exercises have no effect on eye health.
These exercises improve blood flow to the eyes.
8. What is the estimated percentage of pregnancies complicated by
gestational diabetes?
20%
< 1%
10%
2%
9. Describe the relationship between serum osmolality and mental
functioning in patients experiencing HHS and DKA.
Serum osmolality is a key indicator of hydration status and can
affect mental functioning in patients with HHS and DKA.
Mental functioning is solely determined by blood glucose levels.
Serum osmolality is unrelated to mental functioning in HHS and
DKA.
Serum osmolality only affects physical health, not mental
functioning.
10. What instructional strategy involves patients teaching each other a skill
after it has been demonstrated?
Online tutorials
, Lecture-based learning
Discussion group
Individual study
11. What type of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is covered by
Medicare?
None of the above
Both ADJUNCTIVE and NON ADJUNCTIVE CGM
NON ADJUNCTIVE CGM
ADJUNCTIVE CGM
12. Why is it important for patients with diabetes to evaluate their dietary
choices regularly?
It allows patients to avoid all fats in their diet.
It focuses solely on calorie counting without considering
nutritional quality.
It ensures that patients are consuming enough carbohydrates.
Regular evaluation of dietary choices helps in setting or
modifying nutritional goals to better manage diabetes.
13. The compliance perspective on behavioral change represents which of
the following views?
Ceasing high-risk behavior involves progressing through stages
of change.
The informed patient is the expert in his or her own disease and
has the right to take part in his care.
The patient is the recipient of care; the clinician, as an expert,
is responsible for care.
, The theory that adults learn differently from the way children
learn.
14. What is the rule of 500 estimate for a 75 kg man for 1 unit of insulin?
7 (1 unit: 7 grams carbs)
9 (1 unit: 9 grams carbs)
11 (1 unit: 11 grams carbs)
5 (1 unit: 5 grams carbs)
15. What is the recommended starting bolus dose for insulin administration
according to the algorithm provided?
50% of current basal
10% of current basal
5 units
0.1 units/kg
16. Discuss the significance of the difference in myocardial infarction rates
between Caucasian and African American patients with diabetes.
All ethnic groups experience the same risk for myocardial
infarction.
Caucasian patients have better overall health than African
American patients.
Myocardial infarction is unrelated to diabetes management.
The difference in myocardial infarction rates highlights the
need for tailored prevention strategies in diabetes
management based on ethnicity.
17. Insulin does not cross the placenta and has a long history of being safe.
Thus, it is used as the drug of choice for treatment of Gestational
, Diabetes Mellitus.
Metformin
Acarbose
Glyburide
Insulin
18. Describe the significance of DPP inhibitors in the management of
diabetes compared to other oral medications.
DPP inhibitors are less effective than other medications in
lowering blood glucose levels.
DPP inhibitors are the only class of medications that can be used
for all types of diabetes.
DPP inhibitors are primarily used for weight loss rather than
blood glucose control.
DPP inhibitors are significant because they have a very low
incidence of gastrointestinal upset, making them more
tolerable for patients.
19. What is one condition under which Continuous Glucose Monitoring
(CGM) should not be trusted?
After a meal
Not during sensor day 1
When blood glucose is stable
When using insulin
20. Describe why Linagliptin does not require dose reduction in patients
with renal impairment compared to other DPP 4 inhibitors.
Linagliptin is metabolized by the liver, which is unaffected by
