Final answer:
A nurse must understand that insulin injections are critical in caring for a child with type 1 diabetes, as their body cannot produce insulin. Lifestyle changes are also necessary, but insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning the care of a child with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, a nurse must understand the essential role of insulin injections. Since the body of a person with type 1 diabetes does not produce its own insulin, regular insulin shots are crucial for managing blood glucose levels. The injections are necessary to allow transport and storage of glucose, thereby keeping blood sugar within normal ranges. Alongside insulin therapy, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a healthful diet, and sometimes weight loss, are also vital for managing the condition. Although a low-sugar diet and regular exercise are important, they are adjunct to the critical need for insulin, as type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin on its own, unlike type 2 diabetes, where oral hypoglycemic agents may be used. Therefore, the nurse's care plan must emphasize the importance of insulin injections to maintain the child's health.