Question 1: What is the primary cause of Type 1 Diabetes?

• Genetic mutation
• Pancreatic infection
• Autoimmune destruction of beta cells (Correct answer)
• Obesity

Correct answer: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This destruction leads to an absolute deficiency of insulin, which is essential for glucose uptake by cells. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Question 2: What is a common treatment for Type 2 Diabetes?

• Insulin injections only
• Diet modification and exercise
• Oral medications such as metformin (Correct answer)
• Frequent blood transfusions

Correct answer: Oral medications such as metformin

While diet modification and exercise are fundamental, oral medications like metformin are a common first-line pharmacological treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. Metformin works by reducing glucose production by the liver and improving insulin sensitivity in the body's cells. Insulin injections are typically reserved for later stages or when oral medications are insufficient to control blood sugar.

Question 3: What is insulin resistance in Type 2 Diabetes?

• The inability to produce insulin
• The body's cells fail to respond to insulin (Correct answer)
• Overproduction of insulin
• Excess insulin secretion

Correct answer: The body's cells fail to respond to insulin

Insulin resistance is a hallmark of Type 2 Diabetes, where the body's cells (muscle, fat, and liver) do not respond effectively to insulin. This means glucose struggles to enter the cells, leading to higher blood glucose levels. The pancreas initially tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but eventually, it may not be able to keep up with the demand.

Question 4: Which of the following is a common complication of poorly controlled diabetes?

• Increased vision
• Reduced risk of infection
• Peripheral neuropathy (Correct answer)
• Improved kidney function

Correct answer: Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a common and serious complication of poorly controlled diabetes, resulting from nerve damage due to persistently high blood sugar levels over time. It often affects the feet and hands, causing numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. Other complications include retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease.

Question 5: What role does the pancreas play in diabetes?

• It produces insulin to regulate blood sugar
• It stores glucose
• It secretes adrenaline
• It produces bile

The pancreas plays a vital role in diabetes by producing hormones, primarily insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin lowers blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells, while glucagon raises it. In diabetes, either insulin production is insufficient (Type 1) or the body's cells are resistant to its effects (Type 2), leading to dysregulation of blood glucose.

Question 6: Which type of insulin is fast-acting?

• Long-acting insulin
• Intermediate-acting insulin
• Rapid-acting insulin (Correct answer)
• Basal insulin

Correct answer: Rapid-acting insulin

Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin lispro, aspart, and glulisine, are designed to start working very quickly, typically within 15 minutes, and peak around 1-2 hours. They are usually taken just before or with meals to cover the carbohydrate intake and prevent post-meal blood sugar spikes. This quick action makes them suitable for immediate glucose control.

Question 7: How does Metformin help control blood glucose in Type 2 Diabetes?

• By increasing insulin secretion
• By reducing insulin sensitivity
• By reducing glucose production in the liver (Correct answer)
• By stimulating insulin resistance

Correct answer: By reducing glucose production in the liver

Metformin primarily works by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver, a process called hepatic gluconeogenesis. It also improves the body's sensitivity to insulin, allowing cells to use glucose more effectively. These actions collectively help lower blood glucose levels in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Question 8: What is the target blood glucose range for most people with diabetes?

• 60-100 mg/dL
• 100-150 mg/dL
• 80-130 mg/dL before meals, <180 mg/dL after meals (Correct answer)
• 150-200 mg/dL

Correct answer: 80-130 mg/dL before meals, <180 mg/dL after meals

For most non-pregnant adults with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a target blood glucose range of 80-130 mg/dL before meals. Post-meal (1-2 hours after the start of a meal) blood glucose should ideally be less than 180 mg/dL to minimize the risk of complications. Individual targets may vary based on age, comorbidities, and duration of diabetes.

Question 9: What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

• A mild increase in blood sugar
• A severe lack of insulin leading to the breakdown of fats
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood ketone levels

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious and life-threatening complication of diabetes, most common in Type 1. It occurs when there is a severe lack of insulin, preventing cells from using glucose for energy. The body then starts breaking down fats for fuel, producing acidic byproducts called ketones, which accumulate in the blood and make it dangerously acidic.