Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the primary action required if a child with type 1 diabetes has persistently high afternoon blood sugar levels?

1. Increase regular insulin only

2. Stabilize dietary intake

3. Increase all doses of insulin

4. Reduce carbohydrate intake only

The correct answer is: Increase regular insulin only

In managing a child with type 1 diabetes who is experiencing persistently high afternoon blood sugar levels, the primary action is to adjust the insulin regimen. Increasing regular insulin alone focuses on the specific short-acting insulin that is typically used to manage glucose levels during meals and potentially correct high levels. This targeted approach allows for fine-tuning of the insulin dosage in relation to meal timing and carbohydrate intake, addressing the immediate issue of elevated blood sugar levels in that timeframe. It is vital to assess and consider the child's total dietary intake and any contributing factors like illness, stress, or changes in activity level when managing insulin, but for the immediate situation of consistently high blood sugar, increasing regular insulin addresses the specific need for better glycemic control at that time. This approach is often guided by monitoring patterns in blood glucose readings and the effectiveness of the current insulin regimen. The other options may play a role in a comprehensive treatment plan but do not directly address the immediate requirement to correct high blood sugar. Stabilizing dietary intake or reducing carbohydrate intake alone may help in the long term but would not provide an immediate solution to the current hyperglycemia. Similarly, increasing all doses of insulin without specificity could lead to potential hypoglycemic events or cause unnecessary adjustments in the management