Diabetes

Question 1

What is the cause of Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)?

Answer 1

Autoimmune destruction of beta cells → no insulin.

Question 2

What is the typical onset age for Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)?

Answer 2

Sudden (often <30 yrs).

Question 3

What are the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)?

Answer 3

3 P’s (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia), weight loss, fatigue.

Question 4

What are the risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)?

Answer 4

Genetics, autoimmune conditions.

Question 5

What is the emergency condition associated with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)?

Answer 5

DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis).

Question 6

What is the cause of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)?

Answer 6

Insulin resistance + impaired secretion.

Question 7

What is the typical onset age for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)?

Answer 7

Gradual (common >40 yrs, now younger w/ obesity).

Question 8

What are the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)?

Answer 8

3 P’s, fatigue, weight gain.

Question 9

What are the risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)?

Answer 9

Age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, metabolic syndrome.

Question 10

What is the emergency condition associated with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)?

Answer 10

HHS (hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome).

Question 11

What is hypoglycemia?

Answer 11

BG <70.

Question 12

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Answer 12

Sweating, tremors, irritability, hunger, tachycardia, confusion, seizures, coma.

Question 13

What causes hypoglycemia?

Answer 13

Too much insulin, not enough food, excess exercise.

Question 14

What is the treatment for hypoglycemia?

Answer 14

15 g fast carbs (juice, glucose tabs, candy). Recheck in 15 min. If unconscious → glucagon IM or D50 IV.

Question 15

What is hyperglycemia?

Answer 15

Fasting BG >100–126 or random >200.

Question 16

What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia?

Answer 16

Polyuria, polydipsia, blurred vision, fatigue.

Question 17

What causes hyperglycemia?

Answer 17

Illness, poor med adherence, stress, diet.

Question 18

What is DKA in Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 18

No insulin → fat breakdown → ketones → acidosis.

Question 19

What are the symptoms of DKA?

Answer 19

High BG, ketones in urine, N/V, abdominal pain, fruity breath, Kussmaul respirations, confusion.

Question 20

What is the treatment for DKA?

Answer 20

Needs IV insulin + fluids.

Question 21

What is HHS in Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 21

Extreme hyperglycemia + dehydration (no ketones).

Question 22

What are the symptoms of HHS?

Answer 22

BG >600, dry mouth, thirst, confusion, seizures, coma.

Question 23

What is the treatment for HHS?

Answer 23

IV fluids, insulin, electrolyte correction.

Question 24

What is insulin resistance?

Answer 24

Body cells don’t respond to insulin.

Question 25

What is polyuria?

Answer 25

Frequent urination.

Question 26

What is polydipsia?

Answer 26

Excessive thirst.

Question 27

What is polyphagia?

Answer 27

Excessive hunger.

Question 28

What are Kussmaul respirations?

Answer 28

Deep, rapid breathing (seen in DKA).

Question 29

What is metabolic syndrome?

Answer 29

Cluster of obesity, HTN, hyperglycemia, high cholesterol → ↑ risk of T2DM.

Question 30

What should be monitored in diabetes care?

Answer 30

Monitor BG, A1C, vitals.

Question 31

What should be watched for in diabetes care?

Answer 31

Watch for hypo/hyperglycemia cues.

Question 32

What education should be provided for diabetes management?

Answer 32

Diet (balanced carbs, avoid sugary drinks), exercise (150 min/wk), foot care, annual eye exams.

Question 33

What is the medication safety for Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 33

Insulin always.

Question 34

What is the medication safety for Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 34

Lifestyle + metformin, sometimes insulin.

Question 35

What is the typical onset age for Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 35

Typically before age 30, with abrupt presentation.

Question 36

What are the clinical features of Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 36

Patients are usually thin, with rapid onset of symptoms.

Question 37

What is the management for Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 37

Requires lifelong insulin therapy, careful balance of insulin, diet, and activity, and frequent blood glucose monitoring. Prevent complications like DKA.

Question 38

What is the nursing role in managing Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 38

Teaching insulin injection, site rotation, carb counting, signs of hypo/hyperglycemia, and sick-day rules.

Question 39

What are the clinical features of Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 39

Many patients are overweight or obese and may be asymptomatic for years.

Question 40

What is the management for Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 40

Lifestyle first: weight loss, healthy diet, exercise. Oral agents (like metformin) if lifestyle alone is insufficient. Insulin therapy if uncontrolled with oral meds. Prevent complications like HHS.

Question 41

What is the nursing role in managing Type 2 Diabetes?

Answer 41

Education on diet/exercise, med adherence, blood glucose monitoring, recognition of complications, preventing foot/eye issues.

Question 42

What are the normal fasting blood glucose levels?

Answer 42

Normal: 70–100 mg/dL ## Footnote Prediabetes: 100–125 mg/dL; Diabetes: 126 mg/dL or higher (on two separate occasions).

Question 43

What are the normal random blood glucose levels?

Answer 43

Normal: less than 140 mg/dL ## Footnote Diabetes: 200 mg/dL or higher with symptoms (polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia).

Question 44

What are the normal Hemoglobin A1C levels?

Answer 44

Normal: less than 5.7% ## Footnote Prediabetes: 5.7–6.4%; Diabetes: 6.5% or higher. A1C reflects average BG over 2–3 months (since RBC lifespan is ~120 days).

Question 45

What are the causes of hypoglycemia?

Answer 45

Too much insulin given, not enough food intake after insulin, excessive physical activity without adjusting insulin or eating carbs.

Question 46

What are the moderate symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Answer 46

Confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, slurred speech.

Question 47

What are the severe symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Answer 47

Seizures, unconsciousness, coma.

Question 48

What are the nursing interventions for hypoglycemia if the patient is awake?

Answer 48

Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbs (juice, soda, glucose tablets). Recheck BG in 15 minutes → repeat if still <70 mg/dL. Once stable, give a longer-acting carb + protein (sandwich, crackers with peanut butter).

Question 49

What are the nursing interventions for hypoglycemia if the patient is unconscious or NPO?

Answer 49

Give IM glucagon OR IV dextrose (D50). Monitor airway and recovery closely.

Question 50

What are the prevention strategies for hypoglycemia?

Answer 50

Teach consistent meal times, snack with exercise, carry glucose tablets, wear medical alert bracelet.

Question 51

What are the acute complications of unmanaged diabetes?

Answer 51

Hypoglycemia: BG <70 mg/dL, caused by too much insulin/too little food/excess exercise. DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis): Mostly in Type 1. HHS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome): Mostly in Type 2.

Question 52

What are the chronic complications of unmanaged diabetes?

Answer 52

Macrovascular: coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease → risk of amputation. Microvascular: Retinopathy → vision loss/blindness; Nephropathy → kidney failure, dialysis; Neuropathy → numbness, tingling, ulcers, amputations.

Question 53

What are other issues related to unmanaged diabetes?

Answer 53

Recurrent infections, poor wound healing, sexual dysfunction, cognitive decline.