Page 1 of 221
CDCES EXAM (Certified Diabetes Care and
Education Specialist) NEWEST UPDATE
2026-2027 ALL 400 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Which of the following statements best reflects the goal of glucose management in the
hospital setting?
A. Avoid use of basal insulin to prevent hypoglycemia
B. Oral medications are never recommended
C. Pt admitted with BG more than 126, need basal bolus therapy
D. Start insulin therapy if BG is greater than 180
D. Start insulin therapy if BG is greater than 180
Which of the following studies demonstrated that keeping A1C less than 7% decreased risk of
complications for type 2?
A. United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study
B. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
C. Diabetes Prevention Program
D. Trial for Diabetes Youth
, Page 2 of 221
A. United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS)
What professional instructional staff are required to establish a recognized diabetes program?
A. At least one health care professional with a CDCES
B. A RN and RD, one of which has a CDCES
C. Either a RN, RD, or PharmD with recent education in diabetes
D. Health care professional with chronic disease management experience
C. Either a RN, RD, or PharmD with recent education in diabetes
AJ arrives at the educator's office for individual assessment with new glucose meter and says,
"I'm not sure if I am ready to start checking". Using the transtheoretical model, what stage of
change is AJ in?
Contemplation
Type 2 diabetes and A1C of 6.3%. Takes canagliflozin (Invokana) and follows a meal plan. In
discussing preconception care, the specialist will suggest which of the following?
Discontinue canagliflozin and start on insulin
(ONLY insulin approved during pregnancy)
- Metformin only for 1st trimester
Which of the following retinopathy screening guideline according the ADA.
, Page 3 of 221
New onset type 2 diabetes requires a dilated eye exam upon diagnosis
Glucose management indicator reflects average A1C
1lb = 3,500 calories
Alcohol: 7 kcals per gram
2000 steps = 1 mile
7,500-10,000 steps recommended a day
A 76 year old patient with a history of congestive heart failure has recurring hospitalization
for exacerbation of congestive heart failure. A diabetes educator is visiting the patient and
reviews home medications. Which medication is of concern specific to the congestive heart
failure and should be brought to the physicians attention?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Acarbose
D. metformin
B. Pioglitazone
is a TZD which has an increased risk for edema and heart failure.
, Page 4 of 221
A simple tool to assess a patient's readiness to change
Ruler method: is a tool used to gauge a patient's readiness to change and confidence in
behavior change.
For example, " On a scale of 0 to 10, how important is it for you to change your diet?" The
Newest Vital Sign assess health literacy. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2-assess for
depression. The Berlin Questionnaire assess for sleep apnea
ADA recommended blood pressure goals
Maintain systolic pressure less than 130 and diastolic pressure less than 80
RJ has type 2 diabetes and a GFR and UACR of 12 mg/g. According to ADA Standards, how
often does RJ need to have their GFR and UACR rechecked
A. Twice a year
B. Yearly
C. At the first signs of uremia
D. Every 3 months
B. Yearly
Which of the following MNT approach is recommended by the American Diabetes Association
A. Eating a low carb diet and losing 5-10 pounds
CDCES EXAM (Certified Diabetes Care and
Education Specialist) NEWEST UPDATE
2026-2027 ALL 400 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS
Which of the following statements best reflects the goal of glucose management in the
hospital setting?
A. Avoid use of basal insulin to prevent hypoglycemia
B. Oral medications are never recommended
C. Pt admitted with BG more than 126, need basal bolus therapy
D. Start insulin therapy if BG is greater than 180
D. Start insulin therapy if BG is greater than 180
Which of the following studies demonstrated that keeping A1C less than 7% decreased risk of
complications for type 2?
A. United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study
B. Diabetes Control and Complications Trial
C. Diabetes Prevention Program
D. Trial for Diabetes Youth
, Page 2 of 221
A. United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS)
What professional instructional staff are required to establish a recognized diabetes program?
A. At least one health care professional with a CDCES
B. A RN and RD, one of which has a CDCES
C. Either a RN, RD, or PharmD with recent education in diabetes
D. Health care professional with chronic disease management experience
C. Either a RN, RD, or PharmD with recent education in diabetes
AJ arrives at the educator's office for individual assessment with new glucose meter and says,
"I'm not sure if I am ready to start checking". Using the transtheoretical model, what stage of
change is AJ in?
Contemplation
Type 2 diabetes and A1C of 6.3%. Takes canagliflozin (Invokana) and follows a meal plan. In
discussing preconception care, the specialist will suggest which of the following?
Discontinue canagliflozin and start on insulin
(ONLY insulin approved during pregnancy)
- Metformin only for 1st trimester
Which of the following retinopathy screening guideline according the ADA.
, Page 3 of 221
New onset type 2 diabetes requires a dilated eye exam upon diagnosis
Glucose management indicator reflects average A1C
1lb = 3,500 calories
Alcohol: 7 kcals per gram
2000 steps = 1 mile
7,500-10,000 steps recommended a day
A 76 year old patient with a history of congestive heart failure has recurring hospitalization
for exacerbation of congestive heart failure. A diabetes educator is visiting the patient and
reviews home medications. Which medication is of concern specific to the congestive heart
failure and should be brought to the physicians attention?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Acarbose
D. metformin
B. Pioglitazone
is a TZD which has an increased risk for edema and heart failure.
, Page 4 of 221
A simple tool to assess a patient's readiness to change
Ruler method: is a tool used to gauge a patient's readiness to change and confidence in
behavior change.
For example, " On a scale of 0 to 10, how important is it for you to change your diet?" The
Newest Vital Sign assess health literacy. The Patient Health Questionnaire-2-assess for
depression. The Berlin Questionnaire assess for sleep apnea
ADA recommended blood pressure goals
Maintain systolic pressure less than 130 and diastolic pressure less than 80
RJ has type 2 diabetes and a GFR and UACR of 12 mg/g. According to ADA Standards, how
often does RJ need to have their GFR and UACR rechecked
A. Twice a year
B. Yearly
C. At the first signs of uremia
D. Every 3 months
B. Yearly
Which of the following MNT approach is recommended by the American Diabetes Association
A. Eating a low carb diet and losing 5-10 pounds
