1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank: Endocrine Disorders and Blood
Glucose Monitoring
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Diabetes Mellitus - Pathophysiology, Types, and Risk Factors (Q1–Q20) .......... 2
Subtopic 2: Blood Glucose Monitoring and Interpretation of Results (Q21–Q40) ................ 9
Subtopic 3: Insulin Therapy – Types, Dosing, and Administration (Q41–Q60) .................... 17
Subtopic 4: Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia – Causes, Symptoms, and Nursing
Interventions (Q61–Q80) .............................................................................................. 25
Subtopic 5: Thyroid and Parathyroid Dysfunction – Hypo/Hyperthyroidism, Calcium
Regulation, and Postoperative Care .............................................................................. 32
, 2
Subtopic 1: Diabetes Mellitus - Pathophysiology, Types,
and Risk Factors (Q1–Q20)
1. A client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes asks what caused the condition. The
nurse’s best response is:
A. A sedentary lifestyle and poor diet
B. An autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Insufficient dietary intake of glucose
D. A viral infection causing increased insulin needs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is primarily caused by autoimmune destruction of insulin-
producing beta cells in the pancreas.
2. Which of the following clients is at greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
A. A 22-year-old athlete with a normal BMI
B. A 16-year-old with a history of asthma
C. A 45-year-old sedentary male with a BMI of 32
D. A 60-year-old female with hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the most significant modifiable risk factors
for type 2 diabetes.
3. What is the primary hormone that is deficient or absent in type 1 diabetes?
A. Insulin
, 3
B. Glucagon
C. Cortisol
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin, secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas, is absent in type 1 diabetes
due to autoimmune destruction.
4. Which of the following statements indicates a correct understanding of the difference
between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
A. "Type 1 diabetes is reversible with oral medications."
B. "Only type 2 diabetes requires insulin."
C. "Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy."
D. "Type 2 diabetes results from complete pancreatic failure."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes always requires exogenous insulin because the pancreas no
longer produces it.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient with uncontrolled diabetes. Which sign suggests long-
term complications?
A. Tachycardia
B. Non-healing foot ulcer
C. Diaphoresis
D. Productive cough
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: Poor wound healing is a complication of chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired
circulation and immune response.
6. Which ethnic group has a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
A. Caucasians
B. African Americans
C. Pacific Islanders
D. Europeans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic populations are at
increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
7. What is the most common presenting symptom of type 1 diabetes in children?
A. Obesity
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Slow wound healing
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive urination and thirst due
to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia.
8. What is the best initial test to diagnose diabetes mellitus?
A. Random urine glucose test
B. CT scan of the pancreas
C. Fasting plasma glucose
NCLEX PN Exam Bank: Endocrine Disorders and Blood
Glucose Monitoring
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Diabetes Mellitus - Pathophysiology, Types, and Risk Factors (Q1–Q20) .......... 2
Subtopic 2: Blood Glucose Monitoring and Interpretation of Results (Q21–Q40) ................ 9
Subtopic 3: Insulin Therapy – Types, Dosing, and Administration (Q41–Q60) .................... 17
Subtopic 4: Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia – Causes, Symptoms, and Nursing
Interventions (Q61–Q80) .............................................................................................. 25
Subtopic 5: Thyroid and Parathyroid Dysfunction – Hypo/Hyperthyroidism, Calcium
Regulation, and Postoperative Care .............................................................................. 32
, 2
Subtopic 1: Diabetes Mellitus - Pathophysiology, Types,
and Risk Factors (Q1–Q20)
1. A client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes asks what caused the condition. The
nurse’s best response is:
A. A sedentary lifestyle and poor diet
B. An autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
C. Insufficient dietary intake of glucose
D. A viral infection causing increased insulin needs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes is primarily caused by autoimmune destruction of insulin-
producing beta cells in the pancreas.
2. Which of the following clients is at greatest risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
A. A 22-year-old athlete with a normal BMI
B. A 16-year-old with a history of asthma
C. A 45-year-old sedentary male with a BMI of 32
D. A 60-year-old female with hypothyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the most significant modifiable risk factors
for type 2 diabetes.
3. What is the primary hormone that is deficient or absent in type 1 diabetes?
A. Insulin
, 3
B. Glucagon
C. Cortisol
D. Epinephrine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin, secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas, is absent in type 1 diabetes
due to autoimmune destruction.
4. Which of the following statements indicates a correct understanding of the difference
between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
A. "Type 1 diabetes is reversible with oral medications."
B. "Only type 2 diabetes requires insulin."
C. "Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy."
D. "Type 2 diabetes results from complete pancreatic failure."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes always requires exogenous insulin because the pancreas no
longer produces it.
5. The nurse is assessing a patient with uncontrolled diabetes. Which sign suggests long-
term complications?
A. Tachycardia
B. Non-healing foot ulcer
C. Diaphoresis
D. Productive cough
Correct Answer: B
, 4
Rationale: Poor wound healing is a complication of chronic hyperglycemia due to impaired
circulation and immune response.
6. Which ethnic group has a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
A. Caucasians
B. African Americans
C. Pacific Islanders
D. Europeans
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic populations are at
increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
7. What is the most common presenting symptom of type 1 diabetes in children?
A. Obesity
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Slow wound healing
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive urination and thirst due
to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia.
8. What is the best initial test to diagnose diabetes mellitus?
A. Random urine glucose test
B. CT scan of the pancreas
C. Fasting plasma glucose
