Diabetes test bank
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1. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus who asks, "Why is
it necessary to maintain my blood glucose levels no lower than about 60
mg/dL?" How should the nurse respond?
a. "Glucose is the only fuel used by the body to produce the energy that it
needs."
b. "Your brain needs a constant supply of glucose because it cannot store it."
c. "Without a minimum level of glucose, your body does not make red blood
cells."
d. "Glucose in the blood prevents the formation of lactic acid and prevents
acidosis.": ANS: B
Because the brain cannot synthesize or store significant amounts of glucose, a
continuous supply from the body's circulation is needed to meet the fuel demands of
the central nervous system. The nurse would want to educate the client to prevent
hypoglycemia. The body can use other sources of fuel, including fat and protein,
and glucose is not involved in the production of red blood cells. Glucose in the
blood will encourage glucose metabolism but is not directly responsible for lactic
acid formation.
2. A nurse reviews laboratory results for a client with diabetes mellitus who
presents with polyuria, lethargy, and a blood glucose of 560 mg/dL. Which
laboratory result should the nurse correlate with the client's polyuria?
a. Serum sodium: 163 mEq/L
b. Serum creatinine: 1.6 mg/dL
c. Presence of urine ketone bodies
d. Serum osmolarity: 375 mOsm/kg: ANS: D
Hyperglycemia causes hyperosmolarity of extracellular fluid. This leads to polyuria
from an osmotic diuresis. The client's serum osmolarity is high. The client's sodium
would be expected to be high owing to dehydration. Serum creatinine and urine
ketone bodies are not related to the polyuria.
3. After teaching a young adult client who is newly diagnosed with type 1
diabetes mellitus, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which state-
ment made by the client indicates a correct understanding of the need for eye
examinations?
a. "At my age, I should continue seeing the ophthalmologist as I usually do."
b. "I will see the eye doctor when I have a vision problem and yearly after age
40."
c. "My vision will change quickly. I should see the ophthalmologist twice a
, Diabetes test bank
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year."
d. "Diabetes can cause blindness, so I should see the ophthalmologist year-
ly.": ANS: D
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in North America. All clients with
diabetes, regardless of age, should be examined by an ophthalmologist (rather than
an optometrist or optician) at diagnosis and at least yearly thereafter.
4. A nurse assesses a client who has a 15-year history of diabetes and notes
decreased tactile sensation in both feet. Which action should the nurse take
first?
a. Document the finding in the client's chart.
b. Assess tactile sensation in the client's hands.
c. Examine the client's feet for signs of injury.
d. Notify the health care provider.: ANS: C
Diabetic neuropathy is common when the disease is of long duration. The client is
at great risk for injury in any area with decreased sensation because he or she is
less able to feel injurious events. Feet are common locations for neuropathy and
injury, so the nurse should inspect them for any signs of injury. After assessment,
the nurse should document findings in the client's chart. Testing sensory perception
in the hands may or may not be needed. The health care provider can be notified
after assessment and documentation have been completed.
5. A nurse cares for a client who has a family history of diabetes mellitus. The
client states, "My father has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Will I develop this disease
as well?" How should the nurse respond?
a. "Your risk of diabetes is higher than the general population, but it may not
occur."
b. "No genetic risk is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes
mellitus."
c. "The risk for becoming a diabetic is 50% because of how it is inherited."
d. "Female children do not inherit diabetes mellitus, but male children will.": -
ANS: A
Risk for type 1 diabetes is determined by inheritance of genes coding for HLA-DR
and HLA-DQ tissue types. Clients who have one parent with type 1 diabetes are at
increased risk for its development. Diabetes (type 1) seems to require interaction
between inherited risk and environmental factors, so not everyone with these genes
develops diabetes. The other statements are not accurate.
, Diabetes test bank
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6. A nurse teaches a client who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which
statement should the nurse include in this client's plan of care to delay the
onset of microvascular and macrovascular complications?
a. "Maintain tight glycemic control and prevent hyperglycemia."
b. "Restrict your fluid intake to no more than 2 liters a day."
c. "Prevent hypoglycemia by eating a bedtime snack."
d. "Limit your intake of protein to prevent ketoacidosis.": ANS: A
Hyperglycemia is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of long-term diabetic compli-
cations. Maintaining tight glycemic control will help delay the onset of complications.
Restricting fluid intake is not part of the treatment plan for clients with diabetes.
Preventing hypoglycemia and ketosis, although important, are not as important as
maintaining daily glycemic control.
7. A nurse assesses clients who are at risk for diabetes mellitus. Which client
is at greatest risk?
a. A 29-year-old Caucasian
b. A 32-year-old African-American
c. A 44-year-old Asian
d. A 48-year-old American Indian: Diabetes is a particular problem among African
Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians. The incidence of diabetes increases
in all races and ethnic groups with age. Being both an American Indian and mid-
dle-aged places this client at highest risk.
8. A nurse teaches a client about self-monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching to prevent
bloodborne infections?
a. "Wash your hands after completing each test."
b. "Do not share your monitoring equipment."
c. "Blot excess blood from the strip with a cotton ball."
d. "Use gloves when monitoring your blood glucose.": ANS: B
Small particles of blood can adhere to the monitoring device, and infection can be
transported from one user to another. Hepatitis B in particular can survive in a dried
state for about a week. The client should be taught to avoid sharing any equipment,
including the lancet holder. The client should be taught to wash his or her hands
before testing. The client would not need to blot excess blood away from the strip or
wear gloves.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8a0p99
1. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus who asks, "Why is
it necessary to maintain my blood glucose levels no lower than about 60
mg/dL?" How should the nurse respond?
a. "Glucose is the only fuel used by the body to produce the energy that it
needs."
b. "Your brain needs a constant supply of glucose because it cannot store it."
c. "Without a minimum level of glucose, your body does not make red blood
cells."
d. "Glucose in the blood prevents the formation of lactic acid and prevents
acidosis.": ANS: B
Because the brain cannot synthesize or store significant amounts of glucose, a
continuous supply from the body's circulation is needed to meet the fuel demands of
the central nervous system. The nurse would want to educate the client to prevent
hypoglycemia. The body can use other sources of fuel, including fat and protein,
and glucose is not involved in the production of red blood cells. Glucose in the
blood will encourage glucose metabolism but is not directly responsible for lactic
acid formation.
2. A nurse reviews laboratory results for a client with diabetes mellitus who
presents with polyuria, lethargy, and a blood glucose of 560 mg/dL. Which
laboratory result should the nurse correlate with the client's polyuria?
a. Serum sodium: 163 mEq/L
b. Serum creatinine: 1.6 mg/dL
c. Presence of urine ketone bodies
d. Serum osmolarity: 375 mOsm/kg: ANS: D
Hyperglycemia causes hyperosmolarity of extracellular fluid. This leads to polyuria
from an osmotic diuresis. The client's serum osmolarity is high. The client's sodium
would be expected to be high owing to dehydration. Serum creatinine and urine
ketone bodies are not related to the polyuria.
3. After teaching a young adult client who is newly diagnosed with type 1
diabetes mellitus, the nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which state-
ment made by the client indicates a correct understanding of the need for eye
examinations?
a. "At my age, I should continue seeing the ophthalmologist as I usually do."
b. "I will see the eye doctor when I have a vision problem and yearly after age
40."
c. "My vision will change quickly. I should see the ophthalmologist twice a
, Diabetes test bank
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8a0p99
year."
d. "Diabetes can cause blindness, so I should see the ophthalmologist year-
ly.": ANS: D
Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in North America. All clients with
diabetes, regardless of age, should be examined by an ophthalmologist (rather than
an optometrist or optician) at diagnosis and at least yearly thereafter.
4. A nurse assesses a client who has a 15-year history of diabetes and notes
decreased tactile sensation in both feet. Which action should the nurse take
first?
a. Document the finding in the client's chart.
b. Assess tactile sensation in the client's hands.
c. Examine the client's feet for signs of injury.
d. Notify the health care provider.: ANS: C
Diabetic neuropathy is common when the disease is of long duration. The client is
at great risk for injury in any area with decreased sensation because he or she is
less able to feel injurious events. Feet are common locations for neuropathy and
injury, so the nurse should inspect them for any signs of injury. After assessment,
the nurse should document findings in the client's chart. Testing sensory perception
in the hands may or may not be needed. The health care provider can be notified
after assessment and documentation have been completed.
5. A nurse cares for a client who has a family history of diabetes mellitus. The
client states, "My father has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Will I develop this disease
as well?" How should the nurse respond?
a. "Your risk of diabetes is higher than the general population, but it may not
occur."
b. "No genetic risk is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes
mellitus."
c. "The risk for becoming a diabetic is 50% because of how it is inherited."
d. "Female children do not inherit diabetes mellitus, but male children will.": -
ANS: A
Risk for type 1 diabetes is determined by inheritance of genes coding for HLA-DR
and HLA-DQ tissue types. Clients who have one parent with type 1 diabetes are at
increased risk for its development. Diabetes (type 1) seems to require interaction
between inherited risk and environmental factors, so not everyone with these genes
develops diabetes. The other statements are not accurate.
, Diabetes test bank
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8a0p99
6. A nurse teaches a client who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which
statement should the nurse include in this client's plan of care to delay the
onset of microvascular and macrovascular complications?
a. "Maintain tight glycemic control and prevent hyperglycemia."
b. "Restrict your fluid intake to no more than 2 liters a day."
c. "Prevent hypoglycemia by eating a bedtime snack."
d. "Limit your intake of protein to prevent ketoacidosis.": ANS: A
Hyperglycemia is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of long-term diabetic compli-
cations. Maintaining tight glycemic control will help delay the onset of complications.
Restricting fluid intake is not part of the treatment plan for clients with diabetes.
Preventing hypoglycemia and ketosis, although important, are not as important as
maintaining daily glycemic control.
7. A nurse assesses clients who are at risk for diabetes mellitus. Which client
is at greatest risk?
a. A 29-year-old Caucasian
b. A 32-year-old African-American
c. A 44-year-old Asian
d. A 48-year-old American Indian: Diabetes is a particular problem among African
Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians. The incidence of diabetes increases
in all races and ethnic groups with age. Being both an American Indian and mid-
dle-aged places this client at highest risk.
8. A nurse teaches a client about self-monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching to prevent
bloodborne infections?
a. "Wash your hands after completing each test."
b. "Do not share your monitoring equipment."
c. "Blot excess blood from the strip with a cotton ball."
d. "Use gloves when monitoring your blood glucose.": ANS: B
Small particles of blood can adhere to the monitoring device, and infection can be
transported from one user to another. Hepatitis B in particular can survive in a dried
state for about a week. The client should be taught to avoid sharing any equipment,
including the lancet holder. The client should be taught to wash his or her hands
before testing. The client would not need to blot excess blood away from the strip or
wear gloves.
