CDE Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CDE exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CDE Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CDE Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample CDE Questions & Answers
1. A patient's blood glucose monitoring technique is being evaluated by a diabetes educator by having her do a test. Which of the following behaviors represents poor technique?
Milking or excessively squeezing the lanced finger to obtain a blood sample is considered poor technique. This action can dilute the blood sample with interstitial fluid, leading to an inaccurate, often falsely low, blood glucose reading. It is recommended to allow a natural drop of blood to form or apply gentle pressure from the base of the finger upwards, rather than squeezing the tip.
2. Which theory of learning and health behavioral change holds that people learn from their own experiences as well as from watching how others behave and experience things?
Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) posits that learning occurs in a social context through dynamic interactions between a person, their environment, and their behavior. A key tenet of SCT is observational learning, where individuals learn from their own experiences as well as by observing the behaviors of others and the consequences that follow. This theory emphasizes self-efficacy and the role of social support in health behavior change.
3. Which behavioral model is used to assess a patient's readiness to make diabetes self-care changes?
The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) identifies where a patient falls on the spectrum from precontemplation to active maintenance of behavior change.
4. What is the value of continuing education in behavioral strategies for Certified Diabetes Educator Test professionals?
Continuing education ensures professionals stay current with the latest developments, standards, and best practices in their field.
5. Which fasting plasma glucose value on two separate occasions confirms a diagnosis of diabetes?
A fasting plasma glucose of ≥126 mg/dL confirmed on two separate occasions meets the diagnostic criteria for diabetes per ADA and WHO guidelines.
6. What is the most important professional competency for Certified Diabetes Educator Test certification in technology in diabetes?
Professional competency requires both deep knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to apply that knowledge in practical situations.