Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Test Bank 2025\2026
answers and rationales
1. A patient with type 1 diabetes is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia,
and polyphagia. Which laboratory test would confirm the
diagnosis?
a. Serum creatinine
b. Fasting blood glucose
c. Hemoglobin A1c
d. Lipid profile
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of blood glucose
levels over 2–3 months and is a key diagnostic tool for diabetes.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA)?
a. Bradycardia
b. Hypothermia
c. Kussmaul respirations
d. Hypertension
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breathing
patterns the body uses to compensate for metabolic acidosis
seen in DKA.
3. A patient with type 2 diabetes asks why exercise is important. The
nurse’s best response is:
a. "Exercise reduces the risk of neuropathy."
b. "Exercise increases insulin resistance."
c. "Exercise helps lower blood glucose by increasing insulin
sensitivity."
d. "Exercise replaces the need for medications."
, Rationale: Exercise improves glucose uptake by muscles and
increases insulin sensitivity, aiding in glycemic control.
4. Which meal plan strategy is most appropriate for a patient with
diabetes?
a. Eating only two large meals per day
b. Avoiding all carbohydrates
c. Eating consistent carbohydrate portions at regular intervals
d. Consuming high-fat meals to slow glucose absorption
Rationale: Consistent carbohydrate intake helps stabilize blood
glucose and matches insulin or oral hypoglycemic therapy.
5. A patient on insulin therapy is experiencing shakiness, sweating,
and palpitations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer insulin
b. Encourage exercise
c. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
d. Check hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia. Administering fast-
acting carbohydrates (e.g., juice, glucose tabs) quickly raises
blood glucose and prevents complications.
6. Which complication is the leading cause of death in patients with
diabetes?
a. Retinopathy
b. Nephropathy
c. Cardiovascular disease
d. Neuropathy
Rationale: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of
atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke, making
cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death.
, 7. The nurse is teaching a patient with newly diagnosed type 1
diabetes about insulin injections. Which statement indicates the
patient understands the teaching?
a. "I can inject insulin into any site without rotation."
b. "I will mix all types of insulin in one syringe always."
c. "I will rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
d. "I only need to check my blood sugar once a week."
Rationale: Rotating injection sites prevents lipodystrophy, which
can affect insulin absorption.
8. Which of the following is considered a long-acting insulin?
a. Regular insulin
b. Glargine
c. Lispro
d. Aspart
Rationale: Insulin glargine provides a steady insulin level with no
pronounced peak and is classified as long-acting.
9. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
patient statement indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I should take it with meals to reduce stomach upset."
b. "I should stop taking it if I feel well and my sugar is normal."
c. "I will notify my provider if I experience lactic acidosis
symptoms."
d. "I need periodic kidney function tests."
Rationale: Metformin should be taken continuously unless
otherwise directed, and patients must be aware of the rare risk
of lactic acidosis and the importance of renal monitoring.
10. Which of the following foods is appropriate for a patient
experiencing hypoglycemia?
a. Whole wheat bread
answers and rationales
1. A patient with type 1 diabetes is experiencing polyuria, polydipsia,
and polyphagia. Which laboratory test would confirm the
diagnosis?
a. Serum creatinine
b. Fasting blood glucose
c. Hemoglobin A1c
d. Lipid profile
Rationale: Hemoglobin A1c provides an average of blood glucose
levels over 2–3 months and is a key diagnostic tool for diabetes.
2. Which of the following is a classic sign of diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA)?
a. Bradycardia
b. Hypothermia
c. Kussmaul respirations
d. Hypertension
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid breathing
patterns the body uses to compensate for metabolic acidosis
seen in DKA.
3. A patient with type 2 diabetes asks why exercise is important. The
nurse’s best response is:
a. "Exercise reduces the risk of neuropathy."
b. "Exercise increases insulin resistance."
c. "Exercise helps lower blood glucose by increasing insulin
sensitivity."
d. "Exercise replaces the need for medications."
, Rationale: Exercise improves glucose uptake by muscles and
increases insulin sensitivity, aiding in glycemic control.
4. Which meal plan strategy is most appropriate for a patient with
diabetes?
a. Eating only two large meals per day
b. Avoiding all carbohydrates
c. Eating consistent carbohydrate portions at regular intervals
d. Consuming high-fat meals to slow glucose absorption
Rationale: Consistent carbohydrate intake helps stabilize blood
glucose and matches insulin or oral hypoglycemic therapy.
5. A patient on insulin therapy is experiencing shakiness, sweating,
and palpitations. What is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Administer insulin
b. Encourage exercise
c. Give a fast-acting carbohydrate
d. Check hemoglobin A1c
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia. Administering fast-
acting carbohydrates (e.g., juice, glucose tabs) quickly raises
blood glucose and prevents complications.
6. Which complication is the leading cause of death in patients with
diabetes?
a. Retinopathy
b. Nephropathy
c. Cardiovascular disease
d. Neuropathy
Rationale: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of
atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke, making
cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death.
, 7. The nurse is teaching a patient with newly diagnosed type 1
diabetes about insulin injections. Which statement indicates the
patient understands the teaching?
a. "I can inject insulin into any site without rotation."
b. "I will mix all types of insulin in one syringe always."
c. "I will rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
d. "I only need to check my blood sugar once a week."
Rationale: Rotating injection sites prevents lipodystrophy, which
can affect insulin absorption.
8. Which of the following is considered a long-acting insulin?
a. Regular insulin
b. Glargine
c. Lispro
d. Aspart
Rationale: Insulin glargine provides a steady insulin level with no
pronounced peak and is classified as long-acting.
9. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
patient statement indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I should take it with meals to reduce stomach upset."
b. "I should stop taking it if I feel well and my sugar is normal."
c. "I will notify my provider if I experience lactic acidosis
symptoms."
d. "I need periodic kidney function tests."
Rationale: Metformin should be taken continuously unless
otherwise directed, and patients must be aware of the rare risk
of lactic acidosis and the importance of renal monitoring.
10. Which of the following foods is appropriate for a patient
experiencing hypoglycemia?
a. Whole wheat bread
