Answer A is correct: 55.56% chose this answer, “Know the 2025 Standards, since it takes about a year for the new standards to be incorporated unless there is a significant clinical guideline update.” Answer A is the BEST answer. It takes at least a year for the CBDCE to update the exam based on the ADA Standards. Knowing the 2025 Standards along with any urgent clinical updates announced in 2026 will help prepare JR for success.

Answer B is incorrect: 11.45% chose this answer, “Thoroughly review the 2026 Standards since the most recent ADC Standards content will be included in the exam.” Answer B is not the best answer. Since it takes at least a year for the CBDCE to update the exam based on the ADA Standards, JR can feel comfortable knowing the 2025 Standards along with any urgent clinical updates announced in 2026.

Answer C is incorrect: 19.53% chose this answer, “Be familiar with the goals of care from both years, so you can compare and contrast to get to the best answers.” Answer C is not the best answer. Thinking about comparing and contrasting two consecutive years standards and lead to testing confusion. JR can feel comfortable knowing the 2025 Standards along with any urgent clinical updates announced in 2026.

Answer D is incorrect: 13.47% chose this answer, “In addition to knowing the 2026 ADA Standards, you will need to be familiar with the latest American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) Standards.” Answer D is not the best answer. Since it takes at least a year for the CBDCE to update the exam based on the ADA Standards, JR can feel comfortable knowing the 2025 Standards along with any urgent clinical updates announced in 2026.

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!

Answer A is incorrect: 15.51% chose this answer, “It is recommended that insulin is always stored and kept refrigerated. Can you make
sure you pack your insulin with your lunch cooler pack?” While refrigeration is ideal for insulin storage, insulin does not always need to be refrigerated. Once in use, most insulins, including degludec, are stable at room temperature (below 86F or 30 C). Advising refrigeration may create unnecessary barriers and does not reflect degludec’s stability profile.

Answer B is incorrect: 1.83% chose this answer, “Consider storing insulin in your freezer to allow it to be kept cold and protected when
refrigeration is less reliable.” Freezing damages insulin molecules, making the insulin ineffective and unsafe to use. This option contradicts manufacturer and clinical safety guidance.

Answer C is correct: 41.72% chose this answer, “If bringing your insulin with you every day helps you remember to take it, it should be
okay to leave the pen you’re using in your workbag when at the office or at home.” Insulin degludec is stable at room temperature below 86°F (30°C) for up to 56 days (8 weeks) once opened. If SJ’s work bag is not exposed to excessive heat or freezing, keeping the pen there is acceptable and may in fact support consistent dosing. We can also calculate SJ’s monthly insulin pen usage (15 units per day + 2 unit prime per injection = 510 units per month or 2 pens per month), knowing he will easily use more insulin than open insulin pen stability time window.

Answer D is incorrect: 40.94% chose this answer, “Once open, insulin pens can be stored and used at room temperature for up to 28 days, you should be okay with bringing it with you in your work bag.” While it is correct that insulin does not always require refrigeration once in use, the specific duration varies by insulin type; degludec lasts longer than 28 days.

To learn more, check out our Insulin Storage Cheat Sheet.

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!