Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What lifestyle change should a patient with T2DM and stage 2 renal disease consider if she wants to start exercising?

1. Begin with high-impact aerobics to improve fitness

2. Focus on flexibility exercises and stretching

3. Start with walking and light weight training

4. Immediately join a group running club

The correct answer is: Start with walking and light weight training

Starting with walking and light weight training is a sensible and effective lifestyle change for a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who also has stage 2 renal disease. This approach allows for the gradual introduction of physical activity tailored to the patient's abilities and health status. Walking is a low-impact exercise that is generally safe and can be easily modified, making it suitable for someone with renal concerns and diabetes, potentially improving cardiovascular health, promoting weight management, and enhancing overall well-being. Light weight training complements aerobic activity by building muscle strength, which is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes as it can help improve insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control. Ensuring that the exercise regimen starts at a manageable level is crucial since excessive or high-impact activities can pose risks, especially for someone with renal disease. The other options suggest higher-impact or more intensive programs that might not be appropriate given the patient's condition. For instance, high-impact aerobics and joining a running club could introduce stress on the kidneys and increase the risk of injury or complications, especially if the patient is not already accustomed to such levels of exertion. Focusing solely on flexibility exercises and stretching, while beneficial as part of an overall fitness program, doesn't provide the aerobic conditioning or strength training that