AMC MCQ Diabetes Questions: 10 Free Practice MCQs

Ten AMC MCQ-style diabetes questions with the answer and the reasoning behind it. They come from the AU.med bank, which has 80 diabetes questions and many more across every topic.

1. 1 / 10

   A patient at high risk of type 2 diabetes has impaired glucose tolerance. They ask whether screening can return to the standard 3-year interval.

   What interval is recommended for their situation?

   • A. Every 3 years regardless of impaired glucose tolerance
   • B. Every 10 years
   • C. Only if symptoms begin
   • D. Annual screening
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Annual screening

   Why: RACGP recommends annual screening for people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. Every 3 years regardless of impaired glucose tolerance is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • B. Every 10 years is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • C. Only if symptoms begin is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

2. 2 / 10

   An Aboriginal adult aged 23 years attends an Australian primary care clinic for a routine health visit. They have no diabetes symptoms.

   What approach to diabetes screening is recommended?

   • A. Begin screening only after age 40
   • B. Screen only if symptoms appear
   • C. Do not screen before age 50
   • D. Screen opportunistically and/or annually
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Screen opportunistically and/or annually

   Why: RACGP recommends opportunistic and/or annual screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 18 years and over. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. Begin screening only after age 40 is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • B. Screen only if symptoms appear is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • C. Do not screen before age 50 is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

3. 3 / 10

   A 52-year-old adult with no known diabetes is assessed as being at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They have no symptoms and have not had recent testing.

   Which screening interval is recommended?

   • A. No testing unless symptoms begin
   • B. Fasting blood glucose or HbA1c every 3 years
   • C. Daily capillary glucose monitoring
   • D. A single test at age 70 only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Fasting blood glucose or HbA1c every 3 years

   Why: RACGP recommends fasting blood glucose or HbA1c every 3 years for asymptomatic adults at high risk. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. No testing unless symptoms begin is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • C. Daily capillary glucose monitoring is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • D. A single test at age 70 only is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

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5. 4 / 10

   A 45-year-old at normal risk has an AUSDRISK result and no symptoms. They ask whether the screening interval is the same as someone with impaired fasting glucose.

   What is the appropriate explanation?

   • A. Both groups are screened every 10 years
   • B. Normal-risk adults over 40 are assessed every 3 years, while impaired fasting glucose warrants annual screening
   • C. Normal-risk adults are tested monthly
   • D. Impaired fasting glucose means screening can stop, as the person already has prediabetes and will be followed for that instead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Normal-risk adults over 40 are assessed every 3 years, while impaired fasting glucose warrants annual screening

   Why: RACGP distinguishes 3-year risk assessment for normal-risk adults over 40 from annual screening for people with impaired fasting glucose. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. Both groups are screened every 10 years is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • C. Normal-risk adults are tested monthly is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • D. Impaired fasting glucose means screening can stop is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

6. 5 / 10

   A 13-year-old with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome is being assessed in primary care. The child is older than 10 years.

   Should type 2 diabetes screening be considered?

   • A. No, PCOS is unrelated to type 2 diabetes risk in adolescents with obesity
   • B. Only screen after age 18
   • C. Yes, because obesity-associated conditions such as PCOS are listed risk factors
   • D. Screen only with urine ketones
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, because obesity-associated conditions such as PCOS are listed risk factors

   Why: The RACGP handbook includes conditions associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, such as PCOS, among risk factors for screening children and adolescents. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. No, PCOS is unrelated to diabetes risk is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • B. Only screen after age 18 is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • D. Screen only with urine ketones is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

7. 6 / 10

   A 61-year-old man with type 2 diabetes has hypertension and dyslipidaemia, giving him multiple cardiovascular risk factors. He needs intensification of treatment.

   Which glucose-lowering add-on has a guideline-supported cardiovascular benefit?

   • A. No add-on unless cardiovascular disease is diagnosed
   • B. An SGLT2 inhibitor
   • C. Insulin solely to prevent cardiovascular events
   • D. A DPP-4 inhibitor as an equivalent outcome intervention
   Show answer

   Answer: B. An SGLT2 inhibitor

   Why: RACGP recommends adding an SGLT2 inhibitor for adults with type 2 diabetes who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Discuss treatment benefits, harms and preferences with the patient, and review comorbidities and contraindications before prescribing.

   • A. No add-on unless cardiovascular disease is diagnosed is not the RACGP recommendation in this case. Discuss risks, contraindications and preferences before changing treatment.
   • C. Insulin solely to prevent cardiovascular events is not the RACGP recommendation in this case. Discuss risks, contraindications and preferences before changing treatment.
   • D. A DPP-4 inhibitor as an equivalent outcome intervention is not the RACGP recommendation in this case. Discuss risks, contraindications and preferences before changing treatment.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

8. 7 / 10

   A 59-year-old with type 2 diabetes and diabetic CKD has eGFR 32 mL/min/1.73 m2 and no albuminuria. The patient is being reviewed in an Australian emergency or primary care setting and is receiving appropriate clinical monitoring.

   Which medication class is recommended to reduce CKD progression and cardiovascular events?

   • A. An SGLT2 inhibitor when clinically appropriate
   • B. A sulfonylurea solely for kidney protection
   • C. A thiazolidinedione for all patients
   • D. No medication unless albuminuria is severe
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An SGLT2 inhibitor when clinically appropriate

   Why: RACGP's 2024 diabetes handbook recommends SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetic CKD to reduce progression and cardiovascular events at eGFR at least 20 with urinary albumin from normal to 200 mg/g. Other choices can delay appropriate care or expose the patient to avoidable risk. Follow the current Australian guideline and local care pathway.

   • B. A sulfonylurea solely for kidney protection is not appropriate in this scenario. RACGP's 2024 diabetes handbook recommends SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetic CKD to reduce progression and cardiovascular events at eGFR at least 20 with urinary albumin from normal to 200 mg/g.
   • C. A thiazolidinedione for all patients is not appropriate in this scenario. RACGP's 2024 diabetes handbook recommends SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetic CKD to reduce progression and cardiovascular events at eGFR at least 20 with urinary albumin from normal to 200 mg/g.
   • D. No medication unless albuminuria is severe is not appropriate in this scenario. RACGP's 2024 diabetes handbook recommends SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetic CKD to reduce progression and cardiovascular events at eGFR at least 20 with urinary albumin from normal to 200 mg/g.

   Sources: RACGP Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Handbook for General Practice, 2024

9. 8 / 10

   A 15-year-old adolescent taking psychotropic medication has obesity and a first-degree family history of type 2 diabetes. Their family asks why screening is being discussed.

   Which explanation is accurate?

   • A. Psychotropic medicines always cause diabetes, so screening is required for any child taking them
   • B. Screening is not considered until age 40
   • C. A family history is not relevant to screening
   • D. These are recognised risk factors for type 2 diabetes screening in children and adolescents
   Show answer

   Answer: D. These are recognised risk factors for type 2 diabetes screening in children and adolescents

   Why: RACGP lists psychotropic medication, obesity and a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes as risk factors for screening children and adolescents. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

   • A. Psychotropic medicines always cause diabetes is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • B. Screening is not considered until age 40 is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
   • C. A family history is not relevant to screening is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

   Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

10. 9 / 10

    A 43-year-old adult has no diabetes symptoms or additional risk factors. They ask how often general screening for type 2 diabetes is recommended in Australia.

    What screening approach is recommended?

    • A. Assess risk every 3 years using a validated tool such as AUSDRISK
    • B. Screen every month using a random glucose test
    • C. Screen only after symptoms develop
    • D. Use a urine dipstick every year as the only screening test
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Assess risk every 3 years using a validated tool such as AUSDRISK

    Why: The RACGP 2024 handbook recommends risk assessment every 3 years from age over 40 in people at normal risk, using a validated tool such as AUSDRISK. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

    • B. Screen every month using random glucose is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
    • C. Screen only after symptoms develop is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
    • D. Use a urine dipstick every year as the only test is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

    Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

11. 10 / 10

    A 12-year-old child with overweight has a maternal history of gestational diabetes and signs of insulin resistance. The family asks whether screening is warranted.

    Which action is appropriate?

    • A. Do not screen children before adulthood
    • B. Screen for type 2 diabetes because the child has multiple listed risk factors
    • C. Screen only if the child has polyuria
    • D. Use a urine dipstick as the only screening approach in children of this age
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Screen for type 2 diabetes because the child has multiple listed risk factors

    Why: RACGP lists overweight or obesity, maternal diabetes or gestational diabetes, and signs of insulin resistance among child and adolescent risk factors for screening. Choose a screening approach that matches the patient's age, risk group, previous results and ability to complete testing.

    • A. Do not screen children before adulthood is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
    • C. Screen only if the child has polyuria is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.
    • D. Use a urine dipstick as the only screening approach is not the screening recommendation for this age and risk group.

    Sources: RACGP Management of type 2 diabetes: A handbook for general practice, 2024

Exam-style questions written by MedHub for practice. They are not official exam questions.