Understanding Type 1 Diabetes and Insulin Treatment

401209 Health Variations 2 Assessment 2 Case study
Question 1. (10 marks)
Explain why Sarah has been prescribed insulin. Relate to the pathophysiology of
type 1 diabetes and the mechanism of action of insulin. Support your answer with
academic references.
Sarah was suffering from the condition of type 1 diabetes mellitus, which occurs due
to the termination of lymphocytic permeation and damage to the insulin-secreting
beta cells. The beta-cell mass is declined due to type 1 diabetes condition thereby
affecting the secretion of insulin. Hence, the level of insulin decreases and the
human body is unable to maintain and use appropriate insulin. Therefore, to improve
the utilisation and production of insulin inside the Sarah body, she was prescribed
with artificial insulin. To stimulate the mechanism of action of insulin production, the
artificial insulin binds to the glycoprotein receptors of cell that in turn stimulate the
insulin and tyrosine-explicit protein kinase thereby improving the production of insulin
in the patient (Fenske et al., 2019).
Question 2. (5 marks) Support your answer with academic references
a) What is the onset, peak and duration of action for NovoRapid insulin according to
Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of pharmacology (8th ed.)?
The onset of action for NovoRapid insulin is between 10-20 minutes of administration
through subcutaneous way, where the peak effect is active between 1-3 hours of
injection. The duration of action for NovoRapid insulin is between 3-5 hours (Bullock
& Leversha, 2018).
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b) When should NovoRapid be administered in relation to food and why?
NovoRapid insulin injection must be given to Sarah close to the meal. After Sarah
has consumed her meal, the nurse can administer the injection to her abdomen
immediately as the onset of action is faster and more beneficial if taken immediately
after the meal (Bullock & Leversha, 2018).
Question 3. (10 marks) Support your answer with academic references
a) Define hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is also termed as termed as low blood sugar, which initiates when
the human body is unable to produce adequate amount of insulin (Cryer, 2016).
b) What causes hypoglycaemia?
Consumption of excess insulin or diabetic medication can result in lowering the blood
glucose level that leads to the condition of hypoglycaemia. The other cause of
hypoglycaemia includes eating less amount of food or excess exercising,
comsumption of alocohol, kidney failure, liver diseases, hypothyroidism and severe
infections (Sunehag & Haymond, 2018).
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c) What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
The symptoms of hypoglycaemia are trouble in talking, clumsiness, seizures,
confusion, loss of consciousness, sweating, anxiety, weakness, shakiness, sense of
hunger or death (Sunehag & Haymond, 2018).
d) How is hypoglycaemia treated?
The early symptoms of hypoglycaemia can be treated or managed by consuming
fast-acting carbohydrate (15-20 grams), change of diet (frequent consumption of
meal), glucose tablets or drinking juice or soft drinks (Cryer, 2016).
Question 4. (5 marks) Support your answer with academic references
a) What is the most appropriate insulin pen needle length for Sarah?
Since, Sarah was young, the most approparote insulin pen needle length would be in
then range 12.7mm to 6mm (Kalra et al., 2018).
b) Why is this length appropriate?
The above mentioned length of insulin is appropriate for Sarah because it is
considered as the finer needle and is largely prefereed by the young children as it
hurts less (Frid et al., 2016).
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