Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct

Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) Certification Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

(All major subject areas: pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, lifestyle,

patient education, and clinical management)

• The primary defect in type 2 diabetes mellitus is
• Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
• Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency
• Complete absence of insulin secretion
• Defect in glucose transporters

Rationale: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in

muscle and liver tissues, leading to a relative rather than absolute insulin deficiency.

• The HbA1c test reflects average plasma glucose levels over

approximately

• 1 week 1 / 4

• 1 month
• 2–3 months
• 6 months

Rationale: HbA1c represents the average blood glucose over the

lifespan of red blood cells, about 120 days.

• According to ADA recommendations, the target HbA1c for most

nonpregnant adults is

• <5.5%
• <6.0%
• <7.0%
• <8.5%

Rationale: The ADA recommends an HbA1c goal of <7% for most

adults to reduce microvascular complications.

• Which of the following oral antidiabetic agents primarily increases

insulin secretion?

• Metformin
• Glipizide
• Pioglitazone
• Acarbose

Rationale: Sulfonylureas like glipizide stimulate pancreatic beta cells

to release insulin.

• Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
• Regular insulin 2 / 4

• NPH insulin
• Insulin lispro
• Insulin detemir

Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins such as lispro begin acting within

10–15 minutes after injection.

• Metformin primarily acts by
• Stimulating insulin secretion
• Decreasing hepatic glucose production
• Increasing renal glucose excretion
• Delaying carbohydrate absorption

Rationale: Metformin reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and improves

insulin sensitivity.

• Which of the following is a long-acting insulin?
• Insulin lispro
• NPH insulin
• Insulin glargine
• Regular insulin

Rationale: Glargine provides a basal insulin level with minimal peaks

lasting up to 24 hours.

• The "rule of 15" is used to treat
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Hypoglycemia
• Hyperglycemia 3 / 4

• Insulin resistance

Rationale: For mild hypoglycemia, 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate is

given, and blood glucose is rechecked after 15 minutes.

• A common gastrointestinal side effect of metformin is
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain without diarrhea
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth

Rationale: Metformin commonly causes GI upset, especially diarrhea

and bloating when therapy begins.

• A fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher on two

occasions indicates

• Normal glucose tolerance
• Impaired fasting glucose
• Diabetes mellitus
• Prediabetes

Rationale: The diagnostic threshold for diabetes is fasting plasma

glucose ≥126 mg/dL.

• Which of the following is an incretin mimetic?
• Glimepiride
• Acarbose
• Exenatide
• / 4