Final answer:
Postoperatively, following surgery, patients with type 1 diabetes can expect their insulin requirements to potentially increase sharply due to surgical stress and the body's healing response. Nurses should closely monitor the client's blood glucose and adjust insulin dosing as needed. Other factors including perioperative medications can also impact insulin needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
After having surgery, a client with type 1 diabetes who previously had elevated but well-controlled insulin requirements may experience different postoperative insulin needs. Typically, the stress of surgery and the postoperative healing process can lead to an increased demand for insulin due to factors such as the physiological stress response, potential infections, or changes in eating and mobility patterns. Additionally, medications given perioperatively can also affect blood glucose levels.
Therefore, the nurse should anticipate that the client's postoperative insulin requirements may increase sharply (c). This response is due to the body's natural reaction to stress and healing after surgery, which invokes hormonal changes that can lead to increased blood glucose levels. It's critical for nurses and medical staff to closely monitor the blood glucose levels and adjust insulin dosing accordingly to maintain optimal glycemic control.
In contrast, insulin injections provide different effects depending on the state of diabetes and individual response, as they are designed to transport and store glucose, thereby affecting blood glucose levels. For insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients, insulin can effectively lower blood glucose after a meal, while for those with insulin-resistant diabetes, the decrease may be marginal or ineffective due to reasons such as excessive insulin antagonists or defective insulin receptors.