Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What is considered a standard of care for adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus?

1. Annual eye exam and annual ECG

2. Annual flu vaccine and dilated eye exam every 6 months

3. Hepatitis B vaccine for adults under 60 years old and annual flu vaccine for all patients

4. Annual C peptide lab and HbA1c every 6 months

The correct answer is: Hepatitis B vaccine for adults under 60 years old and annual flu vaccine for all patients

For adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, vaccination plays a crucial role in preventive care, making the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine and annual flu vaccine standard practice. The hepatitis B vaccine is especially important for adults under 60 years old, as they may be at risk for infections, and immunization can help prevent complications related to co-infection with hepatitis B. The annual flu vaccine is essential for everyone with diabetes, as they are more vulnerable to the flu and its complications, which can lead to severe health issues. In contrast, other options include eye exams and lab tests, which are important but do not encapsulate the full scope of comprehensive care as effectively as the immunization approach in option C. For instance, while annual eye exams are important for monitoring diabetic retinopathy, they aren't as universally applicable or critical on an annual basis as vaccination recommendations are. Thus, focusing on preventive measures like vaccinations is considered a fundamental standard of care for individuals managing diabetes.