Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which of the following choices is not information to be gathered as part of the initial individual diabetes self-management education assessment?

1. Financial status

2. Emotional response to diabetes

3. Cultural and religious practices that could affect diabetes

4. Sexual orientation

The correct answer is: Sexual orientation

The rationale for selecting that choice lies in the focus of the initial diabetes self-management education assessment. While personal and contextual factors are crucial in understanding a patient’s situation, sexual orientation, while important in terms of overall health and wellness considerations, is typically not prioritized in the initial assessment specifically for diabetes self-management education. Each of the other options reflects more direct influences on diabetes management. Financial status can significantly affect a person’s access to medications and care, as well as their ability to afford healthy food options. Understanding a patient's emotional response to their diabetes helps in tailoring support and interventions, as emotional well-being can deeply impact self-care behaviors. Additionally, cultural and religious practices are vital as they can dictate dietary preferences, treatment acceptance, and how a person views health and illness, directly influencing diabetes management plans. In summary, while sexual orientation is undoubtedly a relevant aspect of patient history in many healthcare contexts, the initial assessment for diabetes self-management education places greater emphasis on factors that more directly affect the immediate management of diabetes.