Practice Test Geeks(CDCES) Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Practice Test
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Behavior Change and Patient Education Flashcards

7 cards from real CDCES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Behavior Change and Patient Education flashcards as text

  1. During a motivational interviewing session, which patient statement is the clearest example of change talk?

    Answer: I want to get my blood sugar down so I can keep up with my grandkids.

    Change talk expresses the patient's own desire, ability, reasons, or need for change, as this statement does.

  2. Which statement by the educator uses the teach-back method correctly after insulin pen instruction?

    Answer: I want to be sure I explained this clearly — can you show me how you will give your dose tonight?

    Teach-back asks the patient to explain or demonstrate in their own words and puts responsibility for clarity on the educator.

  3. According to the ADA/ADCES consensus report, which is NOT one of the four critical times to assess and provide DSMES?

    Answer: Only when the A1C rises above 9%

    The four critical times are at diagnosis, annually or when not meeting targets, when complicating factors develop, and during transitions in life and care, with no A1C cutoff.

  4. A patient says, 'I know foot checks are important, but my back pain keeps me from bending down to look.' Which Health Belief Model construct does this reflect?

    Answer: Perceived barriers

    Perceived barriers are the obstacles a person believes stand in the way of doing a health behavior.

  5. Written diabetes education materials for the general public should ideally be at what reading level?

    Answer: 6th grade or lower

    Health literacy guidelines recommend writing patient materials at about a 6th-grade level or lower so most adults can understand them.

  6. Which screening tool is designed specifically to measure diabetes-related emotional distress?

    Answer: Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale

    The PAID scale measures emotional distress specific to living with diabetes, while PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screen for depression and anxiety.

  7. According to Bandura, which source of self-efficacy has the strongest influence on a patient's confidence?

    Answer: Mastery experiences, such as successfully checking glucose on their own

    Mastery (performance) experiences, meaning personal success at a task, build self-efficacy most strongly.

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