Final answer:
The patient should eat within 15 minutes after receiving a rapid acting insulin injection to prevent hypoglycemia, as the insulin starts to work quickly. Proper meal timing in relation to insulin injections is crucial for blood sugar management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rapid acting insulin should be administered at mealtime, and the patient should eat within 15 minutes after injection to prevent hypoglycemia. This is because rapid acting insulin has a quick onset, typically within 15 to 30 minutes, and it reaches peak blood concentrations within an hour.
When insulin is injected, it facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, lowering blood glucose levels. The timing of meals post-injection is crucial because without food intake, blood glucose can drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia. This is reflected in Graph-A, showcasing how normal or insulin-responsive individuals exhibit a decrease in blood glucose levels after insulin administration, followed by a gradual return to normal levels as insulin's action wanes and glucagon is secreted.
It is essential for patients with diabetes mellitus, especially those with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), to be aware of these timings to manage their blood sugar effectively and avoid complications like hypoglycemia.