Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

What A1c target is recommended for a patient with T2DM who is consistently below 7%?

1. Check A1c annually

2. Check A1c twice a year

3. Check A1c quarterly

4. Check A1c monthly

The correct answer is: Check A1c twice a year

A recommended guideline for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who maintain an A1c level consistently below 7% is to check their A1c levels twice a year. This frequency allows healthcare providers to adequately monitor the patient's blood glucose control while minimizing unnecessary testing. Checking A1c twice a year is sufficient for stable patients because it provides a balance between ensuring ongoing management of diabetes and avoiding the burden of more frequent testing, which could lead to patient fatigue or anxiety over their diabetes management. This approach can also aid in the timely identification of any deterioration in glucose control, ensuring that any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan can be made promptly. The other options suggest more frequent testing, such as quarterly or monthly, which would be more appropriate for patients whose A1c is above target or those facing challenges in managing their diabetes effectively. Checking A1c annually could be suitable for those who have well-managed diabetes without changes in therapy; however, it would not sufficiently monitor the stability of patients who have consistently achieved an A1c below the target of 7%.