Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

When assessing a patient who expresses difficulty in self-managing their condition, what is the first step a diabetes educator should take?

1. Identify possible barriers to self-management

2. Encourage more frequent monitoring of blood glucose

3. Discuss the importance of medication adherence

4. Provide detailed information on diabetes complications

The correct answer is: Identify possible barriers to self-management

Identifying possible barriers to self-management is the first and crucial step for a diabetes educator when working with a patient expressing difficulty in managing their condition. This approach allows the educator to understand the specific challenges the patient is facing, which could include factors such as lack of knowledge, emotional distress, financial issues, or social support systems. By assessing these barriers, the educator can tailor their guidance and interventions to address the patient's unique circumstances, making their education and support more effective. Once barriers are clearly identified, the educator can then progress to encouraging blood glucose monitoring, discussing medication adherence, or providing information about complications. However, addressing the barriers first ensures that any subsequent recommendations are relevant and practical for the patient, facilitating a collaborative effort toward improving self-management skills.