Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate material to use for teaching a nutrition intervention class for diabetes care?

1. A copy of ADA guidelines on nutrition

2. Models of foods, nutrition labels, and sample restaurant menus

3. Graphs showing rates of diabetes complications for different A1c levels

4. Props to demonstrate personal foot care

The correct answer is: Models of foods, nutrition labels, and sample restaurant menus

Utilizing models of foods, nutrition labels, and sample restaurant menus is highly effective for teaching a nutrition intervention class focused on diabetes care. These materials provide practical, hands-on experiences that can enhance understanding and retention of nutritional concepts. Models of foods allow participants to visualize appropriate portion sizes, making it easier to comprehend dietary recommendations. Nutrition labels are crucial for teaching individuals how to read and interpret food packaging, which is essential for making informed food choices in daily life. Sample restaurant menus can help learners understand how to apply nutritional knowledge in real-world dining situations, fostering skills in selecting healthier options when eating out, which is often a challenge for those managing diabetes. The other options, while valuable, do not provide the same level of interactive and practical learning experience related to nutrition. Guidelines on nutrition may offer foundational information but may not engage participants in a meaningful way. Graphs depicting rates of diabetes complications based on A1c levels convey important information regarding disease management but do not directly address the practical aspect of daily nutrition choices. Props for foot care are essential for a different aspect of diabetes management and focus on physical complications rather than nutrition, thus not aligning as closely with the specific intervention class topic concerning dietary education.