Our November 24th Question of the week was crazy hard and super simple at the same time. Less than half, 44% of respondents, chose the best answer, We thought that this was an important topic to discuss further, so we can pass on correct info to people living with diabetes.

Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question

Question: JR is going to stay home for Thanksgiving and decided to prepare a fantastic dinner.  JR has type 1 diabetes and injects bolus insulin before each meal. JR takes 1 unit of insulin for each 10 gms of carbohydrates.

Using myfitnesspal to calculate JRs carb intake for the following festive meal, how much insulin would JR need to inject?

• ½ cup cranberry sauce                 
• ½ cup mashed potatoes                                               
• ½ cup of buttered corn                                   
• 1 small dinner roll                                              
• A big scoop of green beans                                                  
• 4 ounces of turkey breast                              
• ½ cup of stuffing                                                     
• 5 ounces Vendagne Chardonna

Answer Choices:

1. 11.8 units
2. 12.3 units
3. 11 units
4. 10.8 units
5. I have no idea, pass the pumpkin pie

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As shown above, the most common choice was option 3, the second most common answer was option 4, then option 2, then option 1, and finally option 5.

Getting to the Best Answer

If you are thinking about taking the certification exam, this practice test question will set you up for success. Test writers may lure you in to choosing a more complicated answer, when the simplest answer may be the best choice. That is true for this question.

The most important feature of this question is “how much insulin would JR need to inject?” Since he is injecting insulin, no syringe or pen would allow him to inject 1/10th of a unit. Based on this info, the only plausible answer is 11 units or answer 3. But, for fun, here is the carb calculation.

JR will be eating 109 gms of carb. His insulin to carb ratio is 1/10. 109 / 10 = 10.9 units of insulin, then round up to 11 units.

• ½ cup cranberry sauce – 40 gms                 
• ½ cup mashed potatoes   – 15 gms                                          
• ½ cup of buttered corn – 11gms                                
• 1 small dinner roll  – 15 gms                                           
• A big scoop of green beans  – 7gms                                               
• 4 ounces of turkey breast – 0                             
• ½ cup of stuffing – 21 gms                                                     
• 5 ounces Vendagne Chardonnay –
• Total carb = 109 gms Insulin needed 109 / 10 = 10.9 units. Then round up to 11 unit injection.

Answer 1 is incorrect. 14.46% chose this answer. “11.8 units .”

Answer 2 is incorrect. 17.77% of you chose this answer. “12.3 units.”

Answer 3 is correct. 44.08% of respondents chose this. “11 units.”

Answer 4 is incorrect. 19.49% chose this answer. “10.8 units.”

Answer 5 is incorrect. 4.88% chose this answer. ” I have no idea, pass the pumpkin pie.”

We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!

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