HV1 Healthcare Assignment: Insulin, Diabetes, and Patient Care

This assignment addresses the pathophysiology of Type 1 diabetes and the role of insulin in managing the condition. It explores the action profile of NovoRapid insulin, including its onset, peak, and duration, along with the importance of blood glucose monitoring. The assignment defines and explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hypoglycemia, emphasizing the need for prompt intervention. It also addresses practical aspects of insulin administration, such as needle length for children, injection techniques, and the rationale behind blood glucose testing. Furthermore, the assignment highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by patients with Type 1 diabetes, providing a comprehensive overview of the disease and its management from a healthcare perspective. The assignment focuses on insulin administration, diabetes management, and patient care. It delves into the use of NovoRapid insulin, the causes and treatment of hypoglycemia, and the physical and emotional challenges faced by patients.

Running head: HV1 1
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Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Question 1
Diabetes type 1 patients do not produce insulin in their bodies. Their blood sugar glucose,
therefore, falls below the required levels. Insulin is therefore, required to return their blood sugar
level to the required levels, hence the administration of insulin. Insulin moves blood sugar into
the cells, and inside the cells, glucose is thus stored and used to provide energy later.
Question 2
a) According to Bullock, once someone’s is injected with Novo Rapid Insulin, the onset
period takes effect within 10 to 20 minutes after injection. The effect of NovoRapid
resembles closely normal physiological postprandial insulin release than soluble
human insulin. This is followed up by the peak duration, which is its maximum action
period, takes place from around 1 to 3 hours. This is fairly shorter compared to other
soluble human insulin. The insulin is more predictable in its transitioning effect to
peak duration than other insulin. This can as well last for 3 to 5 hours depending on
one’s reaction to the insulin. Each individual reacts differently than the other to the
different types of insulin administered. But one needs to note that the average range is
between the ones mentioned above (Bullock et al, 2017).
b) Additionally, the duration action will depend on the dose injection site, a patient’s
blood floor, the Individuals body temperature and state of physical ability. As seen in
the graph below, indicates a patient injected with NovoRapid before a meal. The
concentration levels of the Blood glucose are indicated with a mean of + or -2SEM
with patients having type 1 Diabetes.

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Question 3
(a) Hypoglycaemia refers to a condition resulting from abnormal low levels of blood
sugar. Hypoglycaemia occurs when the level of blood sugar drops below 70mg/dl
and it has been associated with negative effects of insulin therapy.
(b) The causes of hypoglycaemia are varied. Excessive consumption of alcohol causes
the liver to secret glucose and releases it into the blood stream thereby raising the
level of glucose in blood. Furthermore, too much use of insulin increases the blood
sugar level to unusual levels thus leading to hypoglycaemia. Failure to eat enough
food has been associated with hypoglycaemia. Individuals with eating disorders such
as anorexia nervosa are bound to experience falls in the level of their blood sugar
level from time to time. Likewise, fasting lowers the blood sugar level thereby
causing hyperglycaemia. Besides, the use of certain drugs may trigger
hyperglycaemia. For instance, quinine, high doses of salicylate which treats
rheumatic disease or propranolol for the treatment of hypertension lowers sugar levels

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in the blood. Also, people taking diabetes medication without suffering from diabetes
are at a greater risk of having hyperglycaemia. Other causes of hyperglycaemia
include kidney failure, cancer, psychological stress, liver infections and diseases, and
prolonged exercises (Frier et al, 2017).
(c) Symptoms of hypoglycaemia vary from one person to another. The most common
symptoms include discomfort and feeling hot which is preceded by extreme sweating.
Other symptoms include extreme anxiety and fear especially for reactive
hypoglycaemia patients, extreme hunger, shaking, weakness, blurred vision,
dizziness, exhaustion, and migraines. These symptoms are experienced by most
people. However, frequent reoccurrences may indicate hypoglycaemia which should
be checked.
(d) Several treatment options exist for hypoglycaemia. Any person who notices
hypoglycaemic symptoms should consider consuming either of the following: a glass
of fruit juice, candy, a sugar lump, or glucose tablets. The aforementioned can trigger
faster results. However, they should also consider consuming slower-release
carbohydrates such as bread, cereals or rice.
Question 4
(a) The appropriate insulin pen for Sarah is 5 mm.
(b) 5 mm is appropriate for Sarah since she is a child and it is administered at an angle of
90o (Aronson, 2012).
Question 5

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Prior to an insulin injection, a blood glucose level test is useful in providing information
about the blood sugar level. Furthermore, it will help in understanding how well Sarah is reacting
to overall treatment. It will therefore determine the amount of insulin that will be administered to
her.
Question 6
(a) On the skin surface
(b) An angle of 90o.
(c) Sarah is a child; therefore, her needle needs to be shorter, and is administered without
a skin fold. And angle of 90o is the most appropriate. Subcutaneous injection enhances
faster absorption of the medicine into the body (Plener, 2016).
Question 7
(a) It is advisable to conduct a BGL test 2 hour after NovoRapid administration.
(b) It will be possible to monitor the action and effect of insulin on the blood sugar level.
These readings are essential since they help in determining trends in blood glucose
and adjust doses.
Question 8
The physical challenges involved with type 1 diabetes including daily physical exercises.
For that reason, the patient is required to run daily to ensure that they keep fit. However, that
may look tiresome for lazy patients. Also, diabetes is characterized by the production of large
amounts of sweat. As a result, Sarah may feel ashamed in front of her friends. Lastly, Sarah may
tend to increase in size and become obese with time, something she may struggle with so much.

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Question 9
According to Better Health Channel (2017), living with diabetes type 1 is one of the most
difficult things. One emotional challenge Sarah may struggle with is feeling that she is a burden
to her family. Most diabetic patients, because of her many requirements may feel she is putting
more pressure on her family. Moreover, she will struggle with the feeling of being treated
differently as if they are ‘sick’. Part from that is coping with constant questions about their food
intake and whether or not they have taken insulin. Besides, she may attract jealousy from her
siblings since she will get extra attention from other people and her parents.

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References
Aronson, R. (2012). The role of comfort and discomfort in insulin therapy. Diabetes technology
& therapeutics, 14(8), 741-747.
Better Health Channel. (2017). Diabetes - issues for children and teenagers. Retrieved from
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/diabetes-issues-
for-children-and-teenagers
Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of Pharmacology (8th ed.)
Frier, B. M., & Fisher, M. (Eds.). (2007). Hypoglycaemia in clinical diabetes. John Wiley &
Sons.
Kitabchi, A. E., Umpierrez, G. E., Murphy, M. B., Barrett, E. J., Kreisberg, R. A., Malone, J. I.,
& Wall, B. M. (2001). Management of hyperglycemic crises in patients with
diabetes. Diabetes care, 24(1), 131-153.
Mortensen, H. B., Lindholm, A., Olsen, B. S., & Hylleberg, B. (2000). Rapid appearance and
onset of action of insulin aspart in paediatric subjects with type 1 diabetes. European
journal of pediatrics, 159(7), 483-488.
Plener, P. L., Molz, E., Berger, G., Schober, E., Mönkemöller, K., Denzer, C., ... & Holl, R. W.
(2015). Depression, metabolic control, and antidepressant medication in young patients
with type 1 diabetes. Pediatric diabetes, 16(1), 58-66.
Rolla, A. (2008). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages of insulin analogues and
premixed insulin analogues over human insulins: impact on efficacy and safety. The
American journal of medicine, 121(6), S9-S19.