Which is not true for diabetes?

MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

This statement is false because diabetes can occur at any age.
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, typically develops in children, teenagers, or young adults under the age of 30.
While Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults, it is increasingly being diagnosed in younger populations, including adolescents.
The presence of the word 'only' makes the statement an absolute that is easily proven false by the existence of Type 1 diabetes.

Option B: This statement is true. Polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger) are the classic triad of symptoms for hyperglycemia in diabetes.
Option C: This statement is not the best answer because, while imprecise, it is not entirely false. A normal fasting glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL, which is also less than 120 mg/dL. The statement is misleading as it implies levels between 100-119 mg/dL are normal, when they are actually considered prediabetes. However, the statement in option A is definitively false.
Option D: This option is incorrect because not all the statements are false. Statement B, regarding the common symptoms, is a true statement about diabetes.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics and diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must recognize that diabetes is not just a disease of older adults. Be vigilant for signs of Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents (e.g., unexplained weight loss, bedwetting, fatigue) and Type 2 in at-risk youth (obesity, family history).
Patient education is a key nursing role. When a patient's fasting glucose is in the prediabetes range (100-125 mg/dL), it is a critical opportunity to teach about lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise) to prevent progression to full-blown diabetes.
What if? If a 15-year-old patient presents with polyuria and a random glucose of 250 mg/dL, the priority nursing action is to prepare for immediate medical evaluation and likely insulin therapy, as this is highly suggestive of new-onset Type 1 diabetes and risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question: you are looking for the statement that is FALSE.
Read each option carefully and evaluate its factual accuracy based on your knowledge of diabetes.
Pay close attention to absolute words like 'only', 'always', or 'never'. These words often make a statement incorrect because there are frequently exceptions in medicine.
Evaluate Option A: 'Develops only after 30 years'. Recall that Type 1 diabetes has a juvenile onset. This makes the statement false.
Evaluate Option B: 'Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia are common symptoms'. Recall the '3 Ps' as the classic symptoms of hyperglycemia. This statement is true.
Evaluate Option C: 'Normal fasting blood sugar... less than 120'. Recall the specific diagnostic cutoffs. Normal is <100 mg/dL. While this statement is imprecise, it's not as definitively false as Option A.

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