For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on checkpoint inhibitors triggering hyperglycemia. 34% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it by clicking here.
Betty, a 60-year-old female, is receiving pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, as treatment for melanoma. She is worried about the potential adverse effects. She is very concerned about the risk of developing diabetes. Her recent lab work shows normal fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c.
- A gradual onset of mild hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes.
- A steroid-induced hyperglycemia that resolves after tapering off steroid therapy
- A mild, transient fasting hyperglycemia that requires no treatment.
- A rapid-onset insulin-deficient diabetes that can present as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Getting to the Best Answer
Answer 1 is incorrect. 24.22% chose this answer, “A gradual onset of mild hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance, similar to type 2 diabetes.” This answer is incorrect. Immune checkpoint inhibitor medications do not cause mild hyperglycemia but instead cause significant hyperglycemia and DKA similar to type 1 diabetes.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 24.22% of you chose this answer, “A steroid-induced hyperglycemia that resolves after tapering off steroid therapy.” This answer is incorrect. Though steroid treatment is often needed, hyperglycemia in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated diabetes is not resolved after tapering off steroids.
Answer 3 is incorrect. About 17.58% of respondents chose this: “A mild, transient fasting hyperglycemia that requires no treatment.” This answer is incorrect. Though steroid treatment is often needed, hyperglycemia in immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated diabetes is not resolved after tapering off steroids.
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 33.98% chose this answer, “A rapid-onset insulin-deficient diabetes that can present as diabetic ketoacidosis.” This answer is correct. Due to immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced immune system alterations, hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency can rapidly develop, often leading to DKA.
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!
Want to learn more about this question?
Join Christine at our
Virtual DiabetesEd Training Conference
Why Should I Attend?
Join national experts including Dr. Diana Isaacs (Cleveland Clinic), Beverly Thomassian (30+ years of experience), and Christine Craig for high-impact, virtual learning—no travel required.
✔ Learn from National Experts — Anywhere
Get the same expert-level instruction you’d receive in person, delivered live to your home or office.
✔ Interactive & Flexible
- Live Q&A and real-time case discussions
- Direct engagement with faculty
- Full session recordings with 1-year access if you can’t attend live
What's Included?
- 19.5 CEs from the 3-day interactive conference + 17+ bonus CEs from 11 on-demand courses. (30+ total CEs are AMA PRA Category 1™, ACPE, ANCC, CDR accredited)
- Less than $15 per credit!
- Expert-led sessions: ADA Standards, medications, insulin therapy, behavior change, CGM, medical nutrition therapy
- Interactive Q&A with expert faculty during live sessions
- 1-year access to all recordings that you can watch on your schedule
- Study material for CDCES and BC-ADM exam prep
3 Ways to Register
Practical, Ready-to-Use Strategies
Walk away with tools you can apply immediately in clinical practice or while preparing for CDCES or BC-ADM exams. From insulin dosing protocols to behavior change strategies that work in the real world—this content bridges theory and practice.
Set Yourself Up With Certification Success
Get exam-ready with confidence.
Course credits through AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, ACPE, ANCC, and CDR!
Full accreditation details are available on the registration page
Our CDCES Boot Camp Online Prep Bundle is a comprehensive, high-impact program built specifically for healthcare professionals preparing for the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) exam who want to level up their clinical knowledge and skills.
This evidence-based study bundle is a comprehensive BC-ADM Boot Camp designed for advanced-level healthcare professionals preparing for the Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) exam and will also provide you with state-of-the-art information to level up your clinical practice.
What's Included?
CDCES Boot Camp
- 30+ expert-led courses from the fundamentals to the ADA standards, to test strategies and exam mastery! Includes Levels 1, 2 and 3.
- 50+ CE credits (AMA PRA Category 1™, ACPE, ANCC, CDR accredited). IN
- 400+ practice questions to test your knowledge and build confidence
- Multiple learning formats: video presentations, audio podcasts, and downloadable handouts
- 1 full year of on-demand access to study at your own pace
BC-ADM Boot Camp
- 30+ expert-led courses covering advanced diabetes management, ADA standards, medication review, insulin calculations and tech topics! Includes advanced levels 2, 3, 4.
- 50+ CE credits (AMA PRA Category 1™, ACPE, ANCC, CDR accredited).
- 400+ practice questions to test your knowledge and build BC-ADM test confidence.
- Multiple learning formats: video presentations, audio podcasts, and downloadable handouts
- 1 full year of on-demand access to study at your own pace
Hear What Our Community Has to Say
