NCLEX : Diabetes Questions
1. A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what "type 2"
means in relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs
from type 1 diabetes primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin.
b. there is decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced.
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells.
d. the insulin precursor that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver. - correct
answer-B
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient for
the body's needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other
information describes the physiology of type 1 diabetes.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120 mg/dl
(6.7 mmol/L). The nurse will plan to teach the patient about
a. use of low doses of regular insulin.
b. self-monitoring of blood glucose.
c. oral hypoglycemic medications.
d. maintenance of a healthy weight. - correct answer-D
Rationale: The patient's impaired fasting glucose indicates prediabetes and the patient
should be counseled about lifestyle changes to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
The patient with prediabetes does not require insulin or the oral hypoglycemics for glucose
control and does not need to self-monitor blood glucose.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. During a diabetes screening program, a patient tells the nurse, "My mother died of
complications of type 2 diabetes. Can I inherit diabetes?" The nurse explains that
a. as long as the patient maintains normal weight and exercises, type 2 diabetes can be
prevented.
b. the patient is at a higher than normal risk for type 2 diabetes and should have periodic
blood glucose level 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. - correct answer-B
Rationale: Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2
diabetes. The risk can be decreased, but not prevented, by maintenance of normal weight
and exercising. The risk for children of a person with type 1 diabetes to develop diabetes is
, higher when it is the father who has the disease. Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are
more likely to develop diabetes than offspring of those with type 1 diabetes.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1256
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. A program of weight loss and exercise is recommended for a patient with impaired fasting
glucose (IFG). When teaching the patient about the reason for these lifestyle changes, the
nurse will tell the patient that
a. the high insulin levels associated with this syndrome damage the lining of blood vessels,
leading to vascular 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. - correct answer-D
Rationale: The patient with IFG is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but this risk can be
decreased with lifestyle changes. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels will not be elevated in IFG
and the Hb A1C test is not included in prediabetes testing. Elevated insulin levels do not
cause the damage to blood vessels that can occur with IFG. The liver does not produce
increased levels of glucose in IFG.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. When assessing the patient experiencing the onset of symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which
question should the nurse ask?
a. "Have you lost any weight lately?"
b. "Do you crave fluids containing sugar?"
c. "How long have you felt anorexic?"
d. "Is your urine unusually dark-colored?" - correct answer-A
Rationale: Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb glucose and
starts to break down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty but does not necessarily
crave sugar- containing fluids. Increased appetite is a classic symptom of type 1 diabetes.
With the classic symptom of polyuria, urine will be very dilute.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1255, 1258
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. During a clinic visit 3 months following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the patient reports
following a reduced-calorie diet. The patient has not lost any weight and did not bring the
glucose-monitoring record. The nurse will plan to obtain a(n)
a. fasting blood glucose level.
b. urine dipstick for glucose.
c. glycosylated hemoglobin level.
d. oral glucose tolerance test. - correct answer-C
1. A patient with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse what "type 2"
means in relation to diabetes. The nurse explains to the patient that type 2 diabetes differs
from type 1 diabetes primarily in that with type 2 diabetes
a. the patient is totally dependent on an outside source of insulin.
b. there is decreased insulin secretion and cellular resistance to insulin that is produced.
c. the immune system destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing cells.
d. the insulin precursor that is secreted by the pancreas is not activated by the liver. - correct
answer-B
Rationale: In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the insulin is insufficient for
the body's needs or the cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. The other
information describes the physiology of type 1 diabetes.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient screened for diabetes at a clinic has a fasting plasma glucose level of 120 mg/dl
(6.7 mmol/L). The nurse will plan to teach the patient about
a. use of low doses of regular insulin.
b. self-monitoring of blood glucose.
c. oral hypoglycemic medications.
d. maintenance of a healthy weight. - correct answer-D
Rationale: The patient's impaired fasting glucose indicates prediabetes and the patient
should be counseled about lifestyle changes to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
The patient with prediabetes does not require insulin or the oral hypoglycemics for glucose
control and does not need to self-monitor blood glucose.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. During a diabetes screening program, a patient tells the nurse, "My mother died of
complications of type 2 diabetes. Can I inherit diabetes?" The nurse explains that
a. as long as the patient maintains normal weight and exercises, type 2 diabetes can be
prevented.
b. the patient is at a higher than normal risk for type 2 diabetes and should have periodic
blood glucose level 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. - correct answer-B
Rationale: Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2
diabetes. The risk can be decreased, but not prevented, by maintenance of normal weight
and exercising. The risk for children of a person with type 1 diabetes to develop diabetes is
, higher when it is the father who has the disease. Offspring of people with type 2 diabetes are
more likely to develop diabetes than offspring of those with type 1 diabetes.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1256
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. A program of weight loss and exercise is recommended for a patient with impaired fasting
glucose (IFG). When teaching the patient about the reason for these lifestyle changes, the
nurse will tell the patient that
a. the high insulin levels associated with this syndrome damage the lining of blood vessels,
leading to vascular 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. - correct answer-D
Rationale: The patient with IFG is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but this risk can be
decreased with lifestyle changes. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels will not be elevated in IFG
and the Hb A1C test is not included in prediabetes testing. Elevated insulin levels do not
cause the damage to blood vessels that can occur with IFG. The liver does not produce
increased levels of glucose in IFG.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1255
Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. When assessing the patient experiencing the onset of symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which
question should the nurse ask?
a. "Have you lost any weight lately?"
b. "Do you crave fluids containing sugar?"
c. "How long have you felt anorexic?"
d. "Is your urine unusually dark-colored?" - correct answer-A
Rationale: Weight loss occurs because the body is no longer able to absorb glucose and
starts to break down protein and fat for energy. The patient is thirsty but does not necessarily
crave sugar- containing fluids. Increased appetite is a classic symptom of type 1 diabetes.
With the classic symptom of polyuria, urine will be very dilute.
Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1255, 1258
Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. During a clinic visit 3 months following a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, the patient reports
following a reduced-calorie diet. The patient has not lost any weight and did not bring the
glucose-monitoring record. The nurse will plan to obtain a(n)
a. fasting blood glucose level.
b. urine dipstick for glucose.
c. glycosylated hemoglobin level.
d. oral glucose tolerance test. - correct answer-C
