Question

A nurse is teaching a school-aged child how to use an insulin pump. What is most important for the child to understand?

a. The needle must be changed every day.
b. A blood glucose check is necessary once a day.
c. The pump is an attempt to mimic the way a healthy pancreas works.
d. Subcutaneous pockets near the abdomen are used to implant the pump.

Answer 1

The key understanding for a child using an insulin pump is that it mimics a healthy pancreas by regulating blood glucose levels, similar to how insulin injections work.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important concept for a school-aged child to understand when learning to use an insulin pump is that the pump is an attempt to mimic the way a healthy pancreas works (option c). The pancreas normally secretes insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels, but for those with type 1 diabetes, their pancreas does not produce insulin effectively. Insulin pumps help manage diabetes by providing a continuous dose of insulin, thereby helping regulate blood glucose levels to remain within a normal range. It is also crucial to understand that insulin injections decrease blood glucose levels after consuming a meal by allowing the transport and storage of glucose, which is exactly what an insulin pump aims to automate.