Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What aspect of diabetes education is crucial for managing hypoglycemia risk?

1. Regular exercise

2. Medication adherence

3. Dietary carbohydrate counting

4. Continuous glucose monitoring

The correct answer is: Continuous glucose monitoring

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) plays a critical role in managing hypoglycemia risk as it provides real-time data about blood glucose levels. This technology allows individuals with diabetes to see their glucose trends and fluctuations, enabling them to take proactive steps to prevent hypoglycemic episodes. For example, if the CGM indicates that blood glucose levels are dropping, a person can take preventive measures—such as consuming carbohydrates—before reaching a dangerously low level. Additionally, CGMs often have alerts that notify users when their glucose is falling rapidly, which can further assist in recognizing and responding to hypoglycemia early. While regular exercise, medication adherence, and dietary carbohydrate counting are important aspects of diabetes management, they might not directly address hypoglycemia risk in the same way that continuous glucose monitoring does. Regular exercise can contribute to overall glucose control but may also pose a risk for hypoglycemia if not balanced with food intake or insulin adjustments. Medication adherence is pivotal for maintaining stable blood glucose levels, but without a monitoring system, it may not effectively prevent hypoglycemia from occurring. Dietary carbohydrate counting is beneficial for managing overall carbohydrate intake; however, it requires appropriate blood glucose monitoring to ensure that carbohydrate consumption aligns with the individual's glucose levels to avoid hypoglycemia. In