Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What would be an appropriate response to a patient who expresses confusion about their personal goals in diabetes education?

1. "What do you mean you don't know what I mean?"

2. "How do you hope that learning more about diabetes will help you?"

3. Don't say anything and allow them to think longer.

4. "Well, for example, would you like to achieve your ideal weight, or reach your target blood glucose?"

The correct answer is: "How do you hope that learning more about diabetes will help you?"

The appropriate response to a patient expressing confusion about their personal goals in diabetes education is to encourage a dialogue that allows the patient to reflect on their aspirations and motivations. Asking, "How do you hope that learning more about diabetes will help you?" fosters an open-ended conversation that empowers the patient to articulate their expectations and desires related to managing their diabetes. This approach promotes engagement, allowing healthcare professionals to better understand the patient’s perspective and tailor diabetes education to meet their individual needs. By encouraging the patient to discuss their thoughts and feelings about diabetes management, this response instills a sense of collaboration and support. It acknowledges that diabetes education should be patient-centered and that understanding personal goals is fundamental to improving health outcomes. This type of inquiry not only clarifies the patient's confusion but also builds rapport and trust between the patient and healthcare provider, essential components in effective diabetes education. The other options do not adequately support the patient's needs. For instance, demanding clarification without empathy can alienate the patient, while remaining silent does not facilitate their understanding. Providing examples may help, but it lacks the personal engagement that allows patients to explore their feelings and goals more deeply.