Diabetes: RCSI aptitude test practice questions
About this topic
Diabetes on the RCSI theory paper
Type 1 and type 2, hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, insulin, blood glucose monitoring, DKA warning signs.
37 multiple-choice questions, each with an explanation and the document it was checked against. Three questions are free; the pass opens the other 34 and every other topic. Wrong answers come back first the next time you practise, and a question counts as mastered after two correct answers in a row.
Sample questions from this topic
Question 1
Which of these does the HSE list as a cause of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes?
- AMissing a dose of basal insulin
- BDrinking large amounts of alcohol
- CA urinary tract infection
- DEating a high-fat meal
Show answer
Answer: B. HSE causes of hypos: too much insulin relative to carbohydrate, unplanned or extra activity, the timing of food and insulin not matching, and drinking large amounts of alcohol. Alcohol also raises the risk of a severe hypo while asleep. Missed insulin and infection cause high glucose, not low.
Question 2
A patient having a hypo reaches for a chocolate bar. Why does the HSE advise against this?
- AThe fat in chocolate slows sugar absorption, so it works too slowly
- BSolid food is unsafe until blood glucose is above 4 mmol/l
- CChocolate interferes with the action of insulin
- DChocolate contains too much sugar and will cause a rebound high
Show answer
Answer: A. HSE: sugary foods with a lot of fat, such as chocolate, cakes and biscuits, work too slowly to treat a hypo. Use 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate such as glucose tablets, 170 ml Lucozade Original, 200 ml fruit juice or 3 to 4 jelly babies.
Question 3
How much carbohydrate is in one tube of Glucogel, according to the HSE?
- A15 g
- B5 g
- C20 g
- D10 g
Show answer
Answer: D. HSE: one glucose tube such as Glucogel has 10 g of carbohydrate, so it is less than the 15 g fast-acting dose recommended for a hypo. Five glucose tablets, 170 ml Lucozade Original or a 60 ml Lift shot each give about 15 g.
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