Complications Flashcards
7 cards from real CDE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Complications flashcards as text
A patient with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage 3 (eGFR 45) requires glucose-lowering therapy. Which medication requires dose adjustment or caution at this eGFR?
Answer: Metformin
Metformin is contraindicated when eGFR falls below 30 and should be used with caution between 30–45 mL/min/1.73m² due to risk of lactic acidosis.
What is the primary goal of off-loading in the treatment of a plantar diabetic foot ulcer?
Answer: Reduce mechanical pressure on the wound to promote healing
Off-loading removes mechanical pressure from the ulcer site, which is essential for healing neuropathic plantar ulcers.
Which finding best distinguishes proliferative diabetic retinopathy from severe nonproliferative retinopathy?
Answer: New vessel formation (neovascularization)
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is defined by neovascularization — new, fragile blood vessels that grow on the retina or optic disc.
A diabetic patient develops nephrotic-range proteinuria (>3.5 g/day). Which condition has likely developed?
Answer: Advanced diabetic nephropathy (overt nephropathy)
Nephrotic-range proteinuria indicates advanced (overt) diabetic nephropathy with significant glomerular damage and high risk of end-stage renal disease.
Which cardiovascular risk factor is MOST strongly associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes?
Answer: The combination of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia
The clustering of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in diabetes synergistically accelerates atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
A patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy reports severe burning pain in the feet. Which medication class is FDA-approved specifically for diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain?
Answer: Duloxetine (SNRI) and pregabalin
Duloxetine and pregabalin are FDA-approved first-line treatments for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Which statement about diabetic macular edema (DME) is accurate?
Answer: DME is the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes
Diabetic macular edema is the most common cause of vision loss in people with diabetes and can occur at any stage of retinopathy.
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