Diabetes Education Certification Blood Glucose Monitoring & Targets 3

Question 1

A 68-year-old patient with a 25-year history of diabetes, frequent hypoglycemia unawareness, and stage 3 CKD has an A1C of 7.1%. What is the most appropriate individualized A1C goal?

Accepted Answer

Less than 7.5–8.0%

Answer

For older adults with complex/intermediate health, hypoglycemia unawareness, and comorbidities, the ADA recommends a less stringent A1C goal of <7.5–8.0% to reduce hypoglycemia risk.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the glucose lag that occurs with interstitial CGM sensors compared to blood glucose?

Accepted Answer

CGM reads 5–15 minutes behind blood glucose

Answer

Interstitial fluid glucose lags behind blood glucose by approximately 5–15 minutes, which is most clinically significant during rapid glucose changes.

Question 3

A patient with gestational diabetes is asked to monitor blood glucose. What is the target 1-hour postprandial value according to most US guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Less than 140 mg/dL

Answer

Most US guidelines (ACOG, ADA) target 1-hour postprandial glucose below 140 mg/dL for gestational diabetes management.

Question 4

Structured SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose) using a 7-point profile means testing at which time points?

Accepted Answer

Before and after each main meal plus bedtime

Answer

A 7-point glucose profile consists of before and 1–2 hours after each of the three main meals plus at bedtime, providing a full-day glucose picture.

Question 5

Which enzyme system is used in most modern electrochemical blood glucose test strips?

Accepted Answer

Glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase

Answer

Most modern test strips use glucose oxidase (GOx) or glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) to catalyze the electrochemical reaction that quantifies glucose.

Diabetes Practice Test

Diabetes Practice Test

Diabetes Education Certification Blood Glucose Monitoring & Targets 3