Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

Which vital sign is typically monitored in patients with diabetes to assess management?

1. Respiration rate

2. Blood pressure

3. Heart rate

4. Blood glucose level

The correct answer is: Blood glucose level

In managing diabetes, monitoring blood glucose levels is essential because it provides direct insight into how well the patient's diabetes is being controlled. Blood glucose levels indicate the amount of sugar present in the bloodstream, and maintaining this within a target range is critical to prevent both short-term complications, like hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, and long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and neuropathy. Regular monitoring helps patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions regarding medication, diet, and lifestyle adjustments to optimize diabetes control. While blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate are also important vital signs in general health assessments, they do not specifically reflect the management of diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose is the most direct way to assess whether diabetes is being effectively managed.