Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

The formula for determining the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (ICR) is based on the total daily dose (TDD) of insulin that a person with diabetes uses. The correct calculation for finding the grams of carbohydrate covered by one unit of fast-acting insulin is achieved by using the value 500 in the formula 500/TDD.

This reflects the relationship between total daily insulin needs and the amount of carbohydrates that can be effectively managed by a specific amount of insulin. Essentially, using this formula, individuals can determine how many grams of carbohydrates can be covered by a single unit of insulin, assisting them in managing their mealtime insulin doses more accurately.

The values reflected in the other choices, while related to diabetes management, do not accurately describe the ICR calculation. The 100/TDD formula is often used to approximate the correction factor for insulin, while the 450/TDD formula was traditionally used but is less common in current practice. The 300/TDD might be linked with different types of insulin or varying patient scenarios, but it does not apply specifically to ICR calculations as effectively as the 500/TDD approach does.