CANADIAN DIABETES EDUCATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
CDE
1. Question:
Which of the following is the best indicator of long-term glycemic control in a patient with type
2 diabetes?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Postprandial glucose
Answer: C. Hemoglobin A1c
Solution: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months, making it the best
indicator for long-term glycemic control.
2. Question:
According to the Diabetes Canada 2023 Guidelines, what is the recommended target blood
pressure for most adults with diabetes?
A. <140/90 mmHg
B. <135/85 mmHg
C. <130/80 mmHg
D. <125/75 mmHg
Answer: C. <130/80 mmHg
Solution: Diabetes Canada recommends <130/80 mmHg to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and
microvascular complications.
3. Question:
What is the mechanism of action of SGLT2 inhibitors?
A. Stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas
B. Decrease hepatic glucose production
C. Inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules
D. Increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscle
,Answer: C. Inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules
Solution: SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin) prevent glucose reabsorption in the kidneys,
promoting glycosuria and reducing blood glucose levels.
4. Question:
A client with diabetes reports frequent hypoglycemia. The educator should first assess:
A. Their insulin type
B. Their last A1c
C. Their injection technique
D. Their pattern of blood glucose monitoring and timing of meals
Answer: D. Their pattern of blood glucose monitoring and timing of meals
Solution: Identifying patterns related to food intake and glucose levels is the first step in
hypoglycemia management.
5. Question:
Which of the following best defines Diabetes Distress?
A. A form of clinical depression
B. Anxiety caused by fear of needles
C. Emotional burden and worry about managing diabetes
D. Hypoglycemia-related confusion
Answer: C. Emotional burden and worry about managing diabetes
Solution: Diabetes distress involves feelings of frustration, burnout, or worry related to the day-
to-day burden of diabetes care.
6. Question:
Which of the following insulin regimens most closely mimics normal pancreatic function?
A. Once-daily intermediate insulin
B. Sliding scale insulin
C. Basal-bolus insulin
D. Twice-daily mixed insulin
,Answer: C. Basal-bolus insulin
Solution: A basal-bolus regimen mimics normal insulin release by combining long-acting
(basal) and rapid-acting (bolus) insulins.
7. Question:
A woman with type 1 diabetes is planning pregnancy. Which A1c goal is recommended before
conception, according to Diabetes Canada?
A. ≤7.5%
B. ≤6.5%
C. ≤6.0%
D. ≤8.0%
Answer: C. ≤6.0%
Solution: An A1c ≤6.0% is recommended to reduce the risk of congenital anomalies and
complications during pregnancy.
8. Question:
Which of the following medications should be avoided in someone with type 2 diabetes and
eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²?
A. Sitagliptin
B. Empagliflozin
C. Metformin
D. Linagliptin
Answer: C. Metformin
Solution: Metformin is contraindicated in severe renal impairment (eGFR <30) due to the risk of
lactic acidosis.
9. Question:
Which microvascular complication of diabetes affects the eyes?
A. Retinopathy
B. Neuropathy
C. Nephropathy
D. Atherosclerosis
, Answer: A. Retinopathy
Solution: Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the retinal blood vessels and is a major cause
of blindness in adults.
10. Question:
What is the 15-15 rule for treating hypoglycemia?
A. Eat 15g of carbs, check BG in 15 minutes
B. Take 15 units of insulin, wait 15 minutes
C. Eat 15g of protein, retest in 15 minutes
D. Consume 15 oz of juice, test in 15 minutes
Answer: A. Eat 15g of carbs, check BG in 15 minutes
Solution: For mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia (BG <4.0 mmol/L), consume 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate and retest in 15 minutes.
11. Question:
Which of the following is not a recommended foot care practice for a person with diabetes?
A. Inspect feet daily
B. Trim toenails straight across
C. Soak feet daily in warm water for 30 minutes
D. Wear properly fitted footwear
Answer: C. Soak feet daily in warm water for 30 minutes
Solution: Prolonged soaking can lead to skin maceration and increase infection risk, especially
in patients with neuropathy.
12. Question:
Which of the following symptoms is most characteristic of autonomic neuropathy in diabetes?
A. Tingling in feet
B. Gastroparesis
C. Foot ulcers
D. Retinopathy
Answer: B. Gastroparesis
Solution: Autonomic neuropathy can impair stomach emptying, leading to nausea, bloating, and
gastroparesis.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
CDE
1. Question:
Which of the following is the best indicator of long-term glycemic control in a patient with type
2 diabetes?
A. Fasting plasma glucose
B. Random blood glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Postprandial glucose
Answer: C. Hemoglobin A1c
Solution: HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months, making it the best
indicator for long-term glycemic control.
2. Question:
According to the Diabetes Canada 2023 Guidelines, what is the recommended target blood
pressure for most adults with diabetes?
A. <140/90 mmHg
B. <135/85 mmHg
C. <130/80 mmHg
D. <125/75 mmHg
Answer: C. <130/80 mmHg
Solution: Diabetes Canada recommends <130/80 mmHg to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and
microvascular complications.
3. Question:
What is the mechanism of action of SGLT2 inhibitors?
A. Stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas
B. Decrease hepatic glucose production
C. Inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules
D. Increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscle
,Answer: C. Inhibit glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubules
Solution: SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin) prevent glucose reabsorption in the kidneys,
promoting glycosuria and reducing blood glucose levels.
4. Question:
A client with diabetes reports frequent hypoglycemia. The educator should first assess:
A. Their insulin type
B. Their last A1c
C. Their injection technique
D. Their pattern of blood glucose monitoring and timing of meals
Answer: D. Their pattern of blood glucose monitoring and timing of meals
Solution: Identifying patterns related to food intake and glucose levels is the first step in
hypoglycemia management.
5. Question:
Which of the following best defines Diabetes Distress?
A. A form of clinical depression
B. Anxiety caused by fear of needles
C. Emotional burden and worry about managing diabetes
D. Hypoglycemia-related confusion
Answer: C. Emotional burden and worry about managing diabetes
Solution: Diabetes distress involves feelings of frustration, burnout, or worry related to the day-
to-day burden of diabetes care.
6. Question:
Which of the following insulin regimens most closely mimics normal pancreatic function?
A. Once-daily intermediate insulin
B. Sliding scale insulin
C. Basal-bolus insulin
D. Twice-daily mixed insulin
,Answer: C. Basal-bolus insulin
Solution: A basal-bolus regimen mimics normal insulin release by combining long-acting
(basal) and rapid-acting (bolus) insulins.
7. Question:
A woman with type 1 diabetes is planning pregnancy. Which A1c goal is recommended before
conception, according to Diabetes Canada?
A. ≤7.5%
B. ≤6.5%
C. ≤6.0%
D. ≤8.0%
Answer: C. ≤6.0%
Solution: An A1c ≤6.0% is recommended to reduce the risk of congenital anomalies and
complications during pregnancy.
8. Question:
Which of the following medications should be avoided in someone with type 2 diabetes and
eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²?
A. Sitagliptin
B. Empagliflozin
C. Metformin
D. Linagliptin
Answer: C. Metformin
Solution: Metformin is contraindicated in severe renal impairment (eGFR <30) due to the risk of
lactic acidosis.
9. Question:
Which microvascular complication of diabetes affects the eyes?
A. Retinopathy
B. Neuropathy
C. Nephropathy
D. Atherosclerosis
, Answer: A. Retinopathy
Solution: Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the retinal blood vessels and is a major cause
of blindness in adults.
10. Question:
What is the 15-15 rule for treating hypoglycemia?
A. Eat 15g of carbs, check BG in 15 minutes
B. Take 15 units of insulin, wait 15 minutes
C. Eat 15g of protein, retest in 15 minutes
D. Consume 15 oz of juice, test in 15 minutes
Answer: A. Eat 15g of carbs, check BG in 15 minutes
Solution: For mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia (BG <4.0 mmol/L), consume 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate and retest in 15 minutes.
11. Question:
Which of the following is not a recommended foot care practice for a person with diabetes?
A. Inspect feet daily
B. Trim toenails straight across
C. Soak feet daily in warm water for 30 minutes
D. Wear properly fitted footwear
Answer: C. Soak feet daily in warm water for 30 minutes
Solution: Prolonged soaking can lead to skin maceration and increase infection risk, especially
in patients with neuropathy.
12. Question:
Which of the following symptoms is most characteristic of autonomic neuropathy in diabetes?
A. Tingling in feet
B. Gastroparesis
C. Foot ulcers
D. Retinopathy
Answer: B. Gastroparesis
Solution: Autonomic neuropathy can impair stomach emptying, leading to nausea, bloating, and
gastroparesis.
