401209 Health Variations Assessment Case Study

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.
Type I diabetes results from the culmination of the infiltration of lymphocytic and the
overall insulin destruction secreting the beta cells in the islets of langerhand located
in the pancreas. When the beta cells are declining, insulin also decreases till all is
depleted to offer normal maintenance of normal blood sugar levels. after the
destruction of about 90% of the beta cells, hyperglycemia sets in and diabetes is
diagnosed (Sechi, Colussi & Catena, 2015). Thus this necessitates the patients to
require insulin to reverse the condition, prevention of ketosis, decreasing the
hyperglugonemia and bringing to normal levels the lipid and protein metabolisms
process (Bergenstal et al., 2016).
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 Novorapid works 10-20 minutes after administration, its maximum peak is
reached between 1-3 hours ad can last for duration of 3-5 hours. These ranges
based on the amount given to the patient. The mechanism of action lowers the
insulin in the blood glucose by binding of the insulin receptors and increases the
uptake of glucose and inhibiting the output of glucose in the hepatic cells. Novorapid
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has a more rapid mechanism of action compared to soluble human insulin and
shorter duration (Bullock & Manias, 2017).
b) When should NovoRapid be administered in relation to food and why?
Insulin administration needs to be administered immediately before a meal is taken
or even when necessary after start of a meal. The rapid onset needs to be in
cognisant with the patient state of medication delayed when the absorption of food
might be delayed as it can lead to drug overload raising the inslun levels in the body
excessively (Kwok et al., 2017, James & Zaidi, 2019).
Question 3. (10 marks) Support your answer with academic references
a) Define hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is a condition where it is caused by low blood sugar levels and linked
to treatment of diabetes (Metzger, Couston & Trimble, 2019).
b) What causes hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia occurs when there is too much insulin in the blood. Several factors
leads to this state including taking too much insulin or other related diabetic
medication, skipping meals or harder excersizes (Inzucchi et al., 2015).
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c) What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
Hypoglycaemia symptoms include irregular heart rhythm, pale skin, fatigue, anxiety,
sweating, irritability, tingling, crying during sleep and shakiness. In extreme cases, it
leads to confusion, visual disturbances eizures and loss of consciousness.
d) How is hypoglycaemia treated?
Hypoglycaemia treatment involves immediate initial treatment to raise blood levels
and treating underlying conditions causing hypoglycaemia. In the treatment is
administration of fast acting carbohydrates which can be converted to sugar in the
body. This normalizes the blood sugar levels, (An & He, 2016).
Question 4. (5 marks) Support your answer with academic references
a) What is the most appropriate insulin pen needle length for Sarah?
Glycaemia blood sugar needles do not have any differences in terms of length use d
in the administration. Shorter needle lengths such as the 4 millimetres can have still
the same impact on offering the treatment to the patient (Karges et al., 2017).
b) Why is this length appropriate?
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