DIABETES NCLEX QUESTIONS 2026
COMPLETE REVIEW WITH PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,During a diabetes screening program, a patient tells the B
nurse, "My mother died of complications of type 2 Rationale: Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for
diabetes. Can I inherit diabetes?" The nurse explains that developing type 2 diabetes. The risk can be decreased, but not prevented, by
a. as long as the patient maintains normal weight and maintenance of normal weight and exercising. The risk for children of a person
exercises, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. with type 1 diabetes to develop diabetes is higher when it is the father who has the
b. the patient is at a higher than normal risk for type 2 disease. Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop
diabetes and should have periodic blood glucose level diabetes than offspring of those with type 1 diabetes.
testing.
c. there is a greater risk for children developing type 2
diabetes when the father has type 2 diabetes.
d. although there is a tendency for children of people
with type 2 diabetes to develop diabetes, the risk is
higher for those with type 1 diabetes.
A program of weight loss and exercise is recommended D
for a patient with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). When Rationale: The patient with IFG is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but this
teaching the patient about the reason for these lifestyle risk can be decreased with lifestyle changes. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels will
changes, the nurse will tell the patient that not be elevated in IFG and the Hb A1C test is not included in prediabetes testing.
a. the high insulin levels associated with this syndrome Elevated insulin levels do not cause the damage to blood vessels that can occur
damage the lining of blood vessels, leading to vascular with IFG. The liver does not produce increased levels of glucose in IFG.
disease.
b. although the fasting plasma glucose levels do not
currently indicate diabetes, the glycosylated hemoglobin
will be elevated.
c. the liver is producing excessive glucose, which will
eventually exhaust the ability of the pancreas to produce
insulin, and exercise will normalize glucose production.
d. the onset of diabetes and the associated
cardiovascular risks can be delayed or prevented by
weight loss and exercise.
When assessing the patient experiencing the onset of A
symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which question should the Rationale: Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb
nurse ask? glucose and starts to break down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty
a. "Have you lost any weight lately?" but does not necessarily crave sugar- containing fluids. Increased appetite is a
b. "Do you crave fluids containing sugar?" classic symptom of type 1 diabetes. With the classic symptom of polyuria, urine
c. "How long have you felt anorexic?" will be very dilute.
d. "Is your urine unusually dark-colored?"
During a clinic visit 3 months following a diagnosis of C
type 2 diabetes, the patient reports following a reduced- Rationale: The glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C) test shows the overall control of
calorie diet. The patient has not lost any weight and did glucose over 90 to 120 days. A fasting blood level indicates only the glucose level
not bring the glucose-monitoring record. The nurse will at one time. Urine glucose testing is not an accurate reflection of blood glucose
plan to obtain a(n) level and does not reflect the glucose over a prolonged time. Oral glucose
a. fasting blood glucose level. tolerance testing is done to diagnose diabetes, but is not used for monitoring
b. urine dipstick for glucose. glucose control once diabetes has been diagnosed.
c. glycosylated hemoglobin level.
d. oral glucose tolerance test.
, A patient who has just been diagnosed with type 2 C
diabetes is 5 ft 4 in (160 cm) tall and weighs 182 pounds Rationale: The complications of diabetes are related to elevated blood glucose,
(82 kg). A nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: more and the most important patient outcome is the reduction of glucose to near-
than body requirements is developed. Which patient normal levels. The other outcomes are also appropriate but are not as high in
outcome is most important for this patient? priority.
a. The patient will have a diet and exercise plan that
results in weight loss.
b. The patient will state the reasons for eliminating simple
sugars in the diet.
c. The patient will have a glycosylated hemoglobin level
of less than 7%.
d. The patient will choose a diet that distributes calories
throughout the day.
A college student who has type 1 diabetes normally D
walks each evening as part of an exercise regimen. The Rationale: The change in exercise will affect blood glucose, and the patient will
student now plans to take a swimming class every day at need to monitor glucose carefully to determine the need for changes in diet and
1:00 PM. The clinic nurse teaches the patient to insulin administration. Because exercise tends to decrease blood glucose, patients
a. delay eating the noon meal until after the swimming are advised to eat before exercising. Increasing the morning NPH or timing the
class. insulin to peak during exercise may lead to hypoglycemia, especially with the
b. increase the morning dose of neutral protamine increased exercise.
Hagedorn (NPH) insulin on days of the swimming class.
c. time the morning insulin injection so that the peak
occurs while swimming.
d. check glucose level before, during, and after
swimming.
A patient with type 1 diabetes has received diet D
instruction as part of the treatment plan. The nurse Rationale: Most patients with type 1 diabetes need to plan diet choices very
determines a need for additional instruction when the carefully. Patients who are using intensified insulin therapy have considerable
patient says, flexibility in diet choices but still should restrict dietary intake of items such as fat,
a. "I may have an occasional alcoholic drink if I include it protein, and alcohol. The other patient statements are correct and indicate good
in my meal plan." understanding of the diet instruction.
b. "I will need a bedtime snack because I take an evening
dose of NPH insulin."
c. "I will eat meals as scheduled, even if I am not hungry,
to prevent hypoglycemia."
d. "I may eat whatever I want, as long as I use enough
insulin to cover the calories."
A 1200-calorie diet and exercise are prescribed for a B
patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The patient Rationale: Exercise is essential to decrease insulin resistance and improve blood
tells the nurse, "I hate to exercise! Can't I just follow the glucose control. Increased energy, improved cardiovascular endurance, and
diet to keep my glucose under control?" The nurse setting a pattern of success are secondary benefits of exercise, but they are not
teaches the patient that the major purpose of exercise for the major reason.
diabetics is to
a. increase energy and sense of well-being, which will
help with body image.
b. facilitate weight loss, which will decrease peripheral
insulin resistance.
c. improve cardiovascular endurance, which is important
for diabetics.
d. set a successful pattern, which will help in making
other needed changes.
COMPLETE REVIEW WITH PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers | 100% Verified
Exam Prep and Comprehensive Rationales Included
,During a diabetes screening program, a patient tells the B
nurse, "My mother died of complications of type 2 Rationale: Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for
diabetes. Can I inherit diabetes?" The nurse explains that developing type 2 diabetes. The risk can be decreased, but not prevented, by
a. as long as the patient maintains normal weight and maintenance of normal weight and exercising. The risk for children of a person
exercises, type 2 diabetes can be prevented. with type 1 diabetes to develop diabetes is higher when it is the father who has the
b. the patient is at a higher than normal risk for type 2 disease. Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop
diabetes and should have periodic blood glucose level diabetes than offspring of those with type 1 diabetes.
testing.
c. there is a greater risk for children developing type 2
diabetes when the father has type 2 diabetes.
d. although there is a tendency for children of people
with type 2 diabetes to develop diabetes, the risk is
higher for those with type 1 diabetes.
A program of weight loss and exercise is recommended D
for a patient with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). When Rationale: The patient with IFG is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but this
teaching the patient about the reason for these lifestyle risk can be decreased with lifestyle changes. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels will
changes, the nurse will tell the patient that not be elevated in IFG and the Hb A1C test is not included in prediabetes testing.
a. the high insulin levels associated with this syndrome Elevated insulin levels do not cause the damage to blood vessels that can occur
damage the lining of blood vessels, leading to vascular with IFG. The liver does not produce increased levels of glucose in IFG.
disease.
b. although the fasting plasma glucose levels do not
currently indicate diabetes, the glycosylated hemoglobin
will be elevated.
c. the liver is producing excessive glucose, which will
eventually exhaust the ability of the pancreas to produce
insulin, and exercise will normalize glucose production.
d. the onset of diabetes and the associated
cardiovascular risks can be delayed or prevented by
weight loss and exercise.
When assessing the patient experiencing the onset of A
symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which question should the Rationale: Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb
nurse ask? glucose and starts to break down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty
a. "Have you lost any weight lately?" but does not necessarily crave sugar- containing fluids. Increased appetite is a
b. "Do you crave fluids containing sugar?" classic symptom of type 1 diabetes. With the classic symptom of polyuria, urine
c. "How long have you felt anorexic?" will be very dilute.
d. "Is your urine unusually dark-colored?"
During a clinic visit 3 months following a diagnosis of C
type 2 diabetes, the patient reports following a reduced- Rationale: The glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C) test shows the overall control of
calorie diet. The patient has not lost any weight and did glucose over 90 to 120 days. A fasting blood level indicates only the glucose level
not bring the glucose-monitoring record. The nurse will at one time. Urine glucose testing is not an accurate reflection of blood glucose
plan to obtain a(n) level and does not reflect the glucose over a prolonged time. Oral glucose
a. fasting blood glucose level. tolerance testing is done to diagnose diabetes, but is not used for monitoring
b. urine dipstick for glucose. glucose control once diabetes has been diagnosed.
c. glycosylated hemoglobin level.
d. oral glucose tolerance test.
, A patient who has just been diagnosed with type 2 C
diabetes is 5 ft 4 in (160 cm) tall and weighs 182 pounds Rationale: The complications of diabetes are related to elevated blood glucose,
(82 kg). A nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: more and the most important patient outcome is the reduction of glucose to near-
than body requirements is developed. Which patient normal levels. The other outcomes are also appropriate but are not as high in
outcome is most important for this patient? priority.
a. The patient will have a diet and exercise plan that
results in weight loss.
b. The patient will state the reasons for eliminating simple
sugars in the diet.
c. The patient will have a glycosylated hemoglobin level
of less than 7%.
d. The patient will choose a diet that distributes calories
throughout the day.
A college student who has type 1 diabetes normally D
walks each evening as part of an exercise regimen. The Rationale: The change in exercise will affect blood glucose, and the patient will
student now plans to take a swimming class every day at need to monitor glucose carefully to determine the need for changes in diet and
1:00 PM. The clinic nurse teaches the patient to insulin administration. Because exercise tends to decrease blood glucose, patients
a. delay eating the noon meal until after the swimming are advised to eat before exercising. Increasing the morning NPH or timing the
class. insulin to peak during exercise may lead to hypoglycemia, especially with the
b. increase the morning dose of neutral protamine increased exercise.
Hagedorn (NPH) insulin on days of the swimming class.
c. time the morning insulin injection so that the peak
occurs while swimming.
d. check glucose level before, during, and after
swimming.
A patient with type 1 diabetes has received diet D
instruction as part of the treatment plan. The nurse Rationale: Most patients with type 1 diabetes need to plan diet choices very
determines a need for additional instruction when the carefully. Patients who are using intensified insulin therapy have considerable
patient says, flexibility in diet choices but still should restrict dietary intake of items such as fat,
a. "I may have an occasional alcoholic drink if I include it protein, and alcohol. The other patient statements are correct and indicate good
in my meal plan." understanding of the diet instruction.
b. "I will need a bedtime snack because I take an evening
dose of NPH insulin."
c. "I will eat meals as scheduled, even if I am not hungry,
to prevent hypoglycemia."
d. "I may eat whatever I want, as long as I use enough
insulin to cover the calories."
A 1200-calorie diet and exercise are prescribed for a B
patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The patient Rationale: Exercise is essential to decrease insulin resistance and improve blood
tells the nurse, "I hate to exercise! Can't I just follow the glucose control. Increased energy, improved cardiovascular endurance, and
diet to keep my glucose under control?" The nurse setting a pattern of success are secondary benefits of exercise, but they are not
teaches the patient that the major purpose of exercise for the major reason.
diabetics is to
a. increase energy and sense of well-being, which will
help with body image.
b. facilitate weight loss, which will decrease peripheral
insulin resistance.
c. improve cardiovascular endurance, which is important
for diabetics.
d. set a successful pattern, which will help in making
other needed changes.
