Which statement by a client with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus indicates effective teaching?

Which statement by a client with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus indicates effective teaching?

• A. I will stop taking my insulin if I'm too sick to eat.
• B. I will decrease my insulin dose during times of illness.
• C. I will adjust my insulin dose according to the level of glucose in my urine.
• D. I will notify my health care provider if my blood glucose level is consistently greater than 250 mg/dL.

Answer: (D)

Understanding how to respond during illness and high blood sugar is essential for someone with new type 1 diabetes. Illness acts like a stressor on the body, releasing hormones that raise blood glucose and can lead to dehydration and the formation of ketones. Because of this, you don’t stop insulin or cut back during sickness; insulin is still needed to prevent dangerous hyperglycemia and possible diabetic ketoacidosis. The safest action is to contact your health care provider if your blood glucose stays consistently high, such as above 250 mg/dL. That threshold is a signal that you may need dose adjustments, additional tests, or guidance on hydration and ketone checking. Choosing to stop insulin when you’re sick is dangerous because it can cause a dangerous rise in glucose and increase the risk of DKA. Decreasing insulin during illness is also incorrect for the same reason, since illness typically raises glucose needs rather than lowers them. Relying on urine glucose to guide dosing isn’t reliable because urine sugar reflects past blood glucose levels and doesn’t accurately represent current control. Reaching out to a provider when glucose remains high provides a safe, tailored plan to prevent complications.

Understanding how to respond during illness and high blood sugar is essential for someone with new type 1 diabetes. Illness acts like a stressor on the body, releasing hormones that raise blood glucose and can lead to dehydration and the formation of ketones. Because of this, you don’t stop insulin or cut back during sickness; insulin is still needed to prevent dangerous hyperglycemia and possible diabetic ketoacidosis. The safest action is to contact your health care provider if your blood glucose stays consistently high, such as above 250 mg/dL. That threshold is a signal that you may need dose adjustments, additional tests, or guidance on hydration and ketone checking.

Choosing to stop insulin when you’re sick is dangerous because it can cause a dangerous rise in glucose and increase the risk of DKA. Decreasing insulin during illness is also incorrect for the same reason, since illness typically raises glucose needs rather than lowers them. Relying on urine glucose to guide dosing isn’t reliable because urine sugar reflects past blood glucose levels and doesn’t accurately represent current control. Reaching out to a provider when glucose remains high provides a safe, tailored plan to prevent complications.