Question

A child who has diabetes mellitus asks why he cannot take insulin orally instead of by subcutaneous injection. The best response of the nurse would be that:

1.)pills are only for adults
2.) insulin is destroyed by digestive enzymes
3.) insulin can cause a stomach ulcer
4.) insulin interacts with food in the stomach

Answer 1

Insulin is destroyed by digestive enzymes, so it needs to be injected subcutaneously instead of taken orally.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response of the nurse would be that insulin is destroyed by digestive enzymes. When insulin is taken orally, it is broken down by the digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This is why insulin needs to be injected subcutaneously, bypassing the digestive system, to ensure its effectiveness.