Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

When a student asks a question about food choices on the first day of a Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) class, what is the best way to respond?

1. Discuss food choices immediately, abandoning the planned schedule.

2. Briefly address the question and indicate it will be discussed in the next class.

3. Instruct the student to remember their question for the next class.

4. Politely uphold the order of topics and suggest one-on-one discussion later.

The correct answer is: Briefly address the question and indicate it will be discussed in the next class.

Responding by briefly addressing the question and indicating it will be discussed in the next class is an effective approach during a DSME class. This method acknowledges the student's inquiry, demonstrating that their question is valued and important. It provides immediate reassurance that their concerns will be addressed without diverting attention from the planned curriculum, which is essential for effective group learning and maintaining structure in the class. This approach also allows the educator to provide a more thorough and comprehensive discussion about food choices at a later time, ensuring that information is delivered systematically and with the benefit of complete context. It encourages ongoing engagement from the student while respecting the planned flow of the course, which is designed to cover a wide range of important topics in diabetes management. In contrast, discussing food choices immediately and abandoning the planned schedule may lead to a chaotic learning environment where critical components of diabetes education could be overlooked. Instructing the student to remember their question without addressing it at all could leave them feeling unacknowledged or confused, which may discourage participation. Upholding the order of topics while suggesting a one-on-one discussion later may also overlook the importance of community learning, as it restricts further discussion to individual time rather than allowing for group engagement and shared learning experiences.