Diabetes Education Certification Acute Complications Management 2

Question 1

A patient with type 1 diabetes is found unresponsive with a blood glucose of 28 mg/dL. No IV access is available. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?

Accepted Answer

Administer glucagon 1 mg IM or subcutaneously

Answer

Glucagon IM or subcutaneous injection is the preferred treatment for severe hypoglycemia when IV access is unavailable and the patient cannot safely swallow.

Question 2

Which acid-base disturbance is characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Accepted Answer

High anion gap metabolic acidosis

Answer

DKA produces a high anion gap metabolic acidosis due to accumulation of ketoacid anions (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate).

Question 3

A patient with type 2 diabetes on metformin develops HHS with a serum osmolality of 340 mOsm/kg. What is the priority fluid for initial resuscitation?

Accepted Answer

0.9% normal saline (isotonic saline)

Answer

Isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) is administered first to restore circulating volume before switching to hypotonic fluids once hemodynamic stability is achieved.

Question 4

A patient using an insulin pump is found with blood glucose of 550 mg/dL and ketones present. The pump site appears red and swollen. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Pump site failure causing insulin non-delivery

Answer

An inflamed or occluded pump site prevents insulin delivery, rapidly leading to ketosis in type 1 diabetes because there is no basal insulin reserve.

Question 5

When treating DKA, at what serum glucose level should dextrose be added to the IV fluids while continuing insulin?

Accepted Answer

When glucose drops below 250 mg/dL

Answer

Dextrose is added to IV fluids when glucose falls below 250 mg/dL to allow continued insulin infusion needed to resolve ketoacidosis.

Diabetes Practice Test

Diabetes Practice Test

Diabetes Education Certification Acute Complications Management 2