The manager observes a graduate nurse teaching a 5-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus. The manager determines that content being instructed is appropriate when the nurse states, "Insulin acts like:

Question

1. building blocks that help make protein into strong muscles."
2. a wagon that carries sugar into the cells of the body."
3. a mud pie that makes the blood vessels thick and sticky."
4. salty potato chips that make people feel very thirsty."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
The manifestations of type 1 DM are the result of a lack of insulin to transport glucose across the cell membrane into the cells. Insulin acts as a transport mechanism, allowing insulin into the body's cells. The analogy of the wagon carrying sugar into the cells of the body is appropriate for teaching a 5-year-old child about insulin therapy. Insulin does not make protein into muscle or make blood vessels thick and sticky. A scarcity of insulin may lead to polydipsia.