Diabetes Education Certification Medical Nutrition Therapy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with type 2 diabetes asks about the glycemic index (GI). Which statement about GI is most accurate?
- High-GI foods cause a slower rise in blood glucose
- GI is determined solely by the total carbohydrate content of a food
- Cooking method and ripeness can affect a food's GI (Correct answer)
- GI alone is sufficient to guide all meal planning decisions for diabetes
Correct answer: Cooking method and ripeness can affect a food's GI
Cooking method, ripeness, and food processing can all alter the glycemic index of a food.
Question 2: Which type of dietary fat is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and is recommended for patients with diabetes?
- Trans fats
- Saturated fats
- Monounsaturated fats (Correct answer)
- Partially hydrogenated oils
Correct answer: Monounsaturated fats
Monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil and avocados, are associated with improved insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health.
Question 3: A patient with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 requires MNT. Which nutrient requires the most careful monitoring?
- Fiber
- Protein (Correct answer)
- Monounsaturated fat
- Soluble carbohydrate
Correct answer: Protein
Protein intake must be carefully monitored in CKD to slow kidney disease progression while preventing malnutrition.
Question 4: What is the recommended daily sodium intake for adults with diabetes and hypertension according to the ADA?
- Less than 1,000 mg/day
- Less than 2,300 mg/day (Correct answer)
- Less than 3,500 mg/day
- Less than 4,000 mg/day
Correct answer: Less than 2,300 mg/day
The ADA recommends less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for adults with diabetes, consistent with general population guidelines.
Question 5: Which meal planning approach divides the plate into sections with half for non-starchy vegetables, one quarter for lean protein, and one quarter for carbohydrates?
- Carbohydrate counting
- The Plate Method (Correct answer)
- Exchange system
- Glycemic load tracking
Correct answer: The Plate Method
The Plate Method is a simple visual tool that divides a 9-inch plate to help patients manage portions and carbohydrate intake.
Question 6: How does dietary fiber affect postprandial blood glucose levels?
- Soluble fiber accelerates gastric emptying, raising blood glucose faster
- Insoluble fiber directly binds glucose in the gut
- Soluble fiber slows absorption and blunts postprandial glucose rise (Correct answer)
- Fiber has no clinically significant effect on blood glucose
Correct answer: Soluble fiber slows absorption and blunts postprandial glucose rise
Soluble fiber forms a gel in the gut that slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption, resulting in a more gradual blood glucose rise.
Question 7: A patient on a fixed insulin regimen asks about consistency in meal timing. What is the BEST advice?
- Meal timing is irrelevant if carbohydrate intake is consistent
- Consistent carbohydrate intake at consistent times helps match insulin action and reduces hypoglycemia risk (Correct answer)
- Skipping meals is acceptable as long as basal insulin is taken
- Meal timing only matters for patients using rapid-acting insulin
Correct answer: Consistent carbohydrate intake at consistent times helps match insulin action and reduces hypoglycemia risk
For patients on fixed insulin regimens, consistent carbohydrate amounts eaten at consistent times help synchronize food intake with insulin peaks.
Diabetes Education Certification Medical Nutrition Therapy 2
A patient with type 2 diabetes asks about the glycemic index (GI).
Which statement about GI is most accurate?