CDCES Exam Preparation

CDCES Preparation and Resources

The CBDCE provides a list of recommended references to support candidates in preparing for the CDCES Exam. These resources include key textbooks and materials with valuable insights into essential domains such as diabetes management and prevention.

BoardCerts' question banks align with these recommended guidelines and the exam blueprint. The materials are carefully designed to be accurate, relevant, and reflective of the essential competencies of nurse executive practice, ensuring candidates are well-prepared for certification success.

Key Concepts on CDCES Exam

Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution

CDCES Blueprint and Focus Areas

Area of Focus	Subtopics	Number of Questions	Percent of Exam
Assessment	A. Physical and Psychosocial Diabetes-relevant health history (diagnosis, duration, symptoms, complications, treatment, comorbidities, healthcare utilization) Diabetes-specific physical assessment (biometrics, site inspection, extremities, etc.) Social determinants of health (economic, living situation, healthcare access, social supports, and food/housing insecurity) General health history (family, medical, mental health, substance use, surgical, allergies and medication) Diabetes measures and other laboratory data Mental health wellbeing (adjustment to diagnosis, coping ability, etc.) Considerations related to diabetes self-care practices (cognitive, physical, language, cultural, spiritual, family/caregiver dynamics, fears and myths, life transitions, etc.) B. Self-Management Behaviors and Knowledge Disease process Eating habits and preferences Activity habits and preferences Medication practices and preferences (prescription, nonprescription, complementary and alternative medicine) Monitoring and data collection (glucose, ketones, weight, dietary intake, activity, etc.) Use of resources Use of technology (monitors, smart delivery systems, apps, online education, patient portals, etc.) Risk reduction of acute and chronic complications Problem solving C. Learning Goals and needs of learner Readiness to learn and change behavior Preferred learning styles (audio, visual, observational, psychomotor, individual vs. group, virtual, etc.) Literacy, numeracy, health literacy, and digital literacy Considerations related to learning (developmental stage, physical abilities, language preferences, cultural, spiritual, psychosocial, economic, family/caregiver dynamics, learning disabilities, etc.)	37	25%
Care and Education Interventions	A. Disease Process and Approach to Treatment Diagnosis and classifications Pathophysiology including honeymoon period, dawn phenomenon Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors Lifestyle management (activity, food, sleep, and stress) Pharmacological approaches and options Treatment goals (glycemic metrics, blood pressure, lipids, risk reduction, quality of life) B. Individualized Education Plan Develop plan based on assessment, in collaboration with person with diabetes/pre-diabetes and care team Identify instructional methods Set S.M.A.R.T. goals C. Person-Centered Education on Self-Care Behaviors Nutrition Principles and Guidelines (ADA recommendations, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, alcohol, food label interpretation, weight management, dietary and herbal supplements, etc.) Physical Activity (ADA and ACSM recommendations, activity plans, safety, monitoring adjustments) Medication Management (ADA/EASD guidelines, medication classes, side effects, insulin delivery systems, etc.) Monitoring and Interpretation (glucose, ketones, A1C, blood pressure, lipids, kidney health, etc.) Acute Complications (causes, prevention, and treatment) Chronic Complications and Comorbidities (screening, treatment, and prevention for eye disease, sexual dysfunction, neuropathies, nephropathy, vascular disease, etc.) Problem Solving (sick days, surgery, travel, emergencies, assistive devices, etc.) Living with Diabetes and Prediabetes (life changes, transitions of care, special populations, pregnancy, psychosocial wellbeing, etc.) Evaluation, Documentation, and Follow-up	105	70%
Standards and Practices	National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (NSDSMES) National Diabetes Prevention Program Standards (National DPP) Apply practice standards (AACE, ADA, Endocrine Society, etc.) Population health strategies Team-based care collaboration Advocacy for diabetes care and education access Primary and secondary prevention strategies Evidence-based care and education Impact of disparities (economic, access, gender, ethnicity, geographic, etc.) Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles	8	5%

Area of Focus

Subtopics

Number of Questions

Percent of Exam

Assessment

A. Physical and Psychosocial

Diabetes-relevant health history (diagnosis, duration, symptoms, complications, treatment, comorbidities, healthcare utilization)
Diabetes-specific physical assessment (biometrics, site inspection, extremities, etc.)
Social determinants of health (economic, living situation, healthcare access, social supports, and food/housing insecurity)
General health history (family, medical, mental health, substance use, surgical, allergies and medication)
Diabetes measures and other laboratory data
Mental health wellbeing (adjustment to diagnosis, coping ability, etc.)
Considerations related to diabetes self-care practices (cognitive, physical, language, cultural, spiritual, family/caregiver dynamics, fears and myths, life transitions, etc.)

B. Self-Management Behaviors and Knowledge

Disease process
Eating habits and preferences
Activity habits and preferences
Medication practices and preferences (prescription, nonprescription, complementary and alternative medicine)
Monitoring and data collection (glucose, ketones, weight, dietary intake, activity, etc.)
Use of resources
Use of technology (monitors, smart delivery systems, apps, online education, patient portals, etc.)
Risk reduction of acute and chronic complications
Problem solving

C. Learning

Goals and needs of learner
Readiness to learn and change behavior
Preferred learning styles (audio, visual, observational, psychomotor, individual vs. group, virtual, etc.)
Literacy, numeracy, health literacy, and digital literacy
Considerations related to learning (developmental stage, physical abilities, language preferences, cultural, spiritual, psychosocial, economic, family/caregiver dynamics, learning disabilities, etc.)

25%

Care and Education Interventions

A. Disease Process and Approach to Treatment

Diagnosis and classifications
Pathophysiology including honeymoon period, dawn phenomenon
Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors
Lifestyle management (activity, food, sleep, and stress)
Pharmacological approaches and options
Treatment goals (glycemic metrics, blood pressure, lipids, risk reduction, quality of life)

B. Individualized Education Plan

Develop plan based on assessment, in collaboration with person with diabetes/pre-diabetes and care team
Identify instructional methods
Set S.M.A.R.T. goals

C. Person-Centered Education on Self-Care Behaviors

Nutrition Principles and Guidelines (ADA recommendations, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, alcohol, food label interpretation, weight management, dietary and herbal supplements, etc.)
Physical Activity (ADA and ACSM recommendations, activity plans, safety, monitoring adjustments)
Medication Management (ADA/EASD guidelines, medication classes, side effects, insulin delivery systems, etc.)
Monitoring and Interpretation (glucose, ketones, A1C, blood pressure, lipids, kidney health, etc.)
Acute Complications (causes, prevention, and treatment)
Chronic Complications and Comorbidities (screening, treatment, and prevention for eye disease, sexual dysfunction, neuropathies, nephropathy, vascular disease, etc.)
Problem Solving (sick days, surgery, travel, emergencies, assistive devices, etc.)
Living with Diabetes and Prediabetes (life changes, transitions of care, special populations, pregnancy, psychosocial wellbeing, etc.)
Evaluation, Documentation, and Follow-up

105

70%

Standards and Practices

National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (NSDSMES)
National Diabetes Prevention Program Standards (National DPP)
Apply practice standards (AACE, ADA, Endocrine Society, etc.)
Population health strategies
Team-based care collaboration
Advocacy for diabetes care and education access
Primary and secondary prevention strategies
Evidence-based care and education
Impact of disparities (economic, access, gender, ethnicity, geographic, etc.)
Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles

CDCES Resources

Choose Your Foods: Match Your Insulin to Your Carbs, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics & American Diabetes Association.
ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, Wolters Kluwer.
Practical Insulin, American Diabetes Association.
Standards of Care in Diabetes, American Diabetes Association.
The Complete Guide to Carb Counting, American Diabetes Association.
The Art and Science of Diabetes Self-Management Education Desk Reference, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.
Diabetes Technology for Healthcare Providers, Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.
Prediabetes: A Fundamental Text, American Diabetes Association.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Department of Health and Human Services & Department of Agriculture.
Diabetes in Practice: Case Studies with Commentary, American Diabetes Association.
Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes, American Diabetes Association.
Medical Management of Type 2 Diabetes, American Diabetes Association.
Motivational Interviewing in Health Care: Helping Patients Change Behavior, The Guilford Press.
Intensive Diabetes Management, American Diabetes Association.
Medical Management of Pregnancy Complicated by Diabetes, American Diabetes Association.
Guide to Medication for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, American Diabetes Association.

BoardCerts Question Bank

The BoardCerts CDCES question bank is meticulously designed to align with the official exam blueprint, ensuring you focus on the most relevant material for success. Plus, you can earn continuing education hours while mastering the content.

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CDCES Exam Preparation

CDCES Preparation and Resources

Key Concepts on CDCES Exam

Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution

CDCES Blueprint and Focus Areas

CDCES Resources

BoardCerts Question Bank

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CDCES Exam Preparation