Exercise and Activity Flashcards
7 cards from real Diabetes practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Exercise and Activity flashcards as text
A person with Type 1 diabetes wants to go for a 45-minute run. Their blood glucose is 90 mg/dL before starting. What should they do?
Answer: Eat 15-30g of carbohydrates before starting
A pre-exercise blood glucose of 90 mg/dL is borderline low, so consuming 15-30g of carbohydrates before prolonged aerobic exercise helps prevent hypoglycemia.
Which type of exercise tends to cause a delayed drop in blood glucose, often occurring 6-12 hours after the activity?
Answer: Prolonged aerobic exercise
Prolonged aerobic exercise depletes glycogen stores, which the body then replenishes over the next 6-12 hours, drawing glucose from the blood and potentially causing delayed hypoglycemia.
What is the recommended approach for adjusting basal insulin when a person with Type 1 diabetes plans a full day of physical activity?
Answer: Reduce basal insulin by 20-50% on the day of activity
Reducing basal insulin by 20-50% on high-activity days helps prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia while maintaining some background insulin coverage.
A diabetic patient checks their blood glucose and gets a reading of 310 mg/dL. They also have ketones in their urine. What should they do about exercise?
Answer: Postpone exercise, correct ketones with insulin and fluids
Exercise with elevated ketones is dangerous because it can worsen ketoacidosis; the priority is to hydrate, correct glucose with insulin, and wait until ketones clear.
Which post-exercise snack is MOST appropriate for preventing overnight hypoglycemia after an intense evening workout for a Type 1 diabetic?
Answer: A protein-rich snack with some complex carbohydrates
A protein-and-complex-carb snack before bed after evening exercise helps maintain blood glucose through the night as muscles replenish glycogen.
What effect does resistance (strength) training typically have on blood glucose during the exercise session itself?
Answer: Can cause a temporary rise in blood glucose due to stress hormones
Resistance exercise stimulates release of catecholamines and cortisol, which can temporarily raise blood glucose during the session, unlike the glucose-lowering effect typical of aerobic exercise.
How often should people with diabetes generally perform aerobic exercise according to major diabetes guidelines?
Answer: At least 150 minutes per week spread over at least 3 days
ADA guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity spread over at least 3 days with no more than 2 consecutive days off.