Question

A Jewish patient who adheres to a kosher diet is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. What would be the best response of the nurse when the patient refuses to take insulin, stating, 'Insulin contains pork and I do not eat pork'?

1) There is only a tiny amount of pork by-product in insulin.
2) All of the insulin used today is made synthetically.
3) I will notify your physician to change the insulin order.
4) You really do not have the option of not taking insulin.

Answer 1

The best response is that all insulin used today is made synthetically, which should align with the patient's kosher dietary needs. Insulin is essential for managing type 1 diabetes, as it allows glucose uptake by the cells, and without it, blood glucose levels become dangerously high.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response to a Jewish patient with type 1 diabetes who refuses to take insulin on the grounds that insulin contains pork is option 2) All of the insulin used today is made synthetically. Modern insulin is indeed synthetically produced and does not contain any pork by-products, which makes it suitable for a kosher diet. This response is both factually correct and addresses the patient's dietary concern directly.

It is crucial for individuals with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition by taking insulin injections, as their bodies do not produce insulin naturally. Without synthetically administered insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes cannot regulate their blood glucose levels, which can lead to serious health complications. Informing the patient about the synthetic nature of insulin used in treatments today can alleviate their concerns and promote adherence to the necessary medical regimen.

Insulin is a critical hormone necessary for the uptake of glucose by the cells, and people with type 1 diabetes lack the ability to produce it due to a genetic mutation. The continuous administration of synthetic insulin is the only way to manage blood glucose levels effectively in these patients.