QMA Insulin Understanding Diabetes and Insulin 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which symptom is most commonly associated with hyperglycemia?
- Shakiness and tremors
- Increased urination and thirst (Correct answer)
- Sudden confusion and sweating
- Rapid heart rate and pallor
Correct answer: Increased urination and thirst
High blood glucose causes the kidneys to excrete excess glucose in urine, pulling water with it and leading to polyuria and polydipsia.
Question 2: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs most commonly in which type of diabetes?
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes (Correct answer)
- Steroid-induced diabetes
Correct answer: Type 1 diabetes
DKA is most common in Type 1 diabetes because the complete absence of insulin forces the body to break down fat for fuel, producing ketones.
Question 3: Which finding would indicate a resident is experiencing hypoglycemia?
- Blood glucose of 250 mg/dL
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Diaphoresis and confusion (Correct answer)
- Increased appetite with weight loss
Correct answer: Diaphoresis and confusion
Diaphoresis (sweating) and confusion are classic signs of hypoglycemia caused by the brain and body being deprived of glucose.
Question 4: The 'rule of 15' for treating mild hypoglycemia recommends which action?
- Give 15 units of insulin and recheck in 15 minutes
- Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbs and recheck blood sugar in 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Give 15 mL of juice every 15 seconds until symptoms resolve
- Wait 15 minutes before any intervention
Correct answer: Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbs and recheck blood sugar in 15 minutes
The rule of 15 involves giving 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and rechecking blood glucose after 15 minutes to guide further treatment.
Question 5: What is the primary danger of uncontrolled hyperglycemia over time?
- Immediate cardiac arrest
- Damage to blood vessels and nerves leading to complications (Correct answer)
- Rapid weight gain and obesity
- Destruction of red blood cells
Correct answer: Damage to blood vessels and nerves leading to complications
Chronic high blood glucose damages small and large blood vessels and nerves, causing complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.
Question 6: A resident with diabetes reports numbness and tingling in their feet. This is most consistent with which complication?
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Diabetic neuropathy (Correct answer)
- Diabetic cardiomyopathy
Correct answer: Diabetic neuropathy
Peripheral diabetic neuropathy commonly presents as numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the feet and lower extremities.
Question 7: Which blood glucose range is generally considered the target for most diabetic residents before meals?
- 40-70 mg/dL
- 80-130 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- 150-200 mg/dL
- 200-250 mg/dL
Correct answer: 80-130 mg/dL
The American Diabetes Association recommends a pre-meal blood glucose target of 80-130 mg/dL for most non-pregnant adults with diabetes.
QMA Insulin Understanding Diabetes and Insulin 3
Which symptom is most commonly associated with hyperglycemia?