CDE Patient Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When assessing a patient's readiness to learn about diabetes, the educator should FIRST evaluate:
- The patient's most recent lab values
- The patient's physical, emotional, and cognitive readiness to learn (Correct answer)
- Whether the patient has insurance coverage for education
- How many prior diabetes classes the patient has attended
Correct answer: The patient's physical, emotional, and cognitive readiness to learn
Learning readiness encompasses physical comfort, emotional state, and cognitive capacity — all must be considered before effective education can occur.
Question 2: A bilingual patient prefers to speak Spanish during education sessions. The most appropriate action is:
- Proceed in English since the patient is bilingual
- Provide education in the patient's preferred language using qualified interpreter services if needed (Correct answer)
- Ask a family member who speaks English to translate
- Simplify the education to avoid language barriers
Correct answer: Provide education in the patient's preferred language using qualified interpreter services if needed
Education delivered in the patient's preferred language with qualified interpretation maximizes comprehension and respects linguistic preferences.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of an appropriate SMART goal set collaboratively with a diabetes patient?
- 'I will try to eat less sugar'
- 'I will walk for 20 minutes after dinner on weekdays for the next 4 weeks' (Correct answer)
- 'I will improve my health'
- 'I will exercise more'
Correct answer: 'I will walk for 20 minutes after dinner on weekdays for the next 4 weeks'
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — walking 20 minutes after dinner on weekdays for 4 weeks meets all criteria.
Question 4: A patient with type 2 diabetes asks why they need to check their feet every day. The best response is:
- 'Because your doctor ordered it'
- 'Diabetes can reduce sensation so you may not feel injuries, and early detection prevents serious complications like amputation' (Correct answer)
- 'Foot problems are the most common complication of diabetes'
- 'It is something all diabetics must do'
Correct answer: 'Diabetes can reduce sensation so you may not feel injuries, and early detection prevents serious complications like amputation'
Explaining that neuropathy can mask pain and that early detection prevents amputation links the behavior to meaningful, personally relevant outcomes.
Question 5: During sick day education, a patient with type 1 diabetes should be taught to:
- Stop insulin if they cannot eat to prevent hypoglycemia
- Continue insulin, check blood glucose and ketones more frequently, and stay hydrated (Correct answer)
- Only call the doctor if blood glucose exceeds 400 mg/dL
- Switch to oral medications temporarily
Correct answer: Continue insulin, check blood glucose and ketones more frequently, and stay hydrated
During illness, insulin requirements often increase even with reduced food intake; frequent glucose and ketone monitoring prevents diabetic ketoacidosis.
Question 6: A patient with diabetes is starting a new exercise program. What should the educator teach them to do BEFORE exercising?
- Eat a full meal immediately before every workout
- Check blood glucose, and if below 100 mg/dL, consume a carbohydrate snack before exercise (Correct answer)
- Increase insulin dose to cover the extra carbohydrates consumed during exercise
- Avoid all exercise if blood glucose is above 150 mg/dL
Correct answer: Check blood glucose, and if below 100 mg/dL, consume a carbohydrate snack before exercise
Checking pre-exercise blood glucose and correcting hypoglycemia with a carbohydrate snack prevents exercise-induced hypoglycemia.
Question 7: The transtheoretical model (stages of change) is useful in diabetes education because it helps the educator:
- Determine which patients deserve more educational resources
- Tailor interventions to match the patient's current motivation and readiness to change (Correct answer)
- Predict which patients will develop complications
- Standardize education delivery across all patients
Correct answer: Tailor interventions to match the patient's current motivation and readiness to change
The transtheoretical model guides educators to match their approach to the patient's stage — precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, or maintenance.
CDE Patient Education 3
When assessing a patient's readiness to learn about diabetes, the educator should FIRST evaluate: