Rationale of the Week | Type 1 and Food Insecurity
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on type 1 and food insecurity. About two thirds of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question
Question:
AR is an 8 year old with type 1 diabetes who has a CGM but still uses insulin injections due to lack of insurance coverage. AR’s parents struggle with food insecurity and some days AR only has school provided breakfast and lunch. You notice he is experiencing level 1 hypoglycemia frequently around 6pm.
What is the best first intervention?
Answer Choices:
- Reassess the insulin dosing strategy.
- Double check that the family has a glucagon emergency kit.
- Reduce insulin dose and start a SGLT-2i to prevent hypoglycemia.
- Make sure AR is wearing identification that says they have type 1 diabetes.
Getting to the Best Answer
Answer 1 is correct. 66.26% chose this answer. “Reassess the insulin dosing strategy.” YES, this is the BEST answer. GREAT JOB! It appears that JR may not have adequate food intake on some days in the early evening hours. To compensate for this decreased food intake, the insulin dose will most likely need to be lowered to prevent dinnertime hypoglycemia. Of course, we would also need to connect AR and their family with social services and other resources.
Answer 2 is incorrect. 24.21% of you chose this answer. “Double check that the family has a glucagon emergency kit.” Although it is important for all people living with type 1 diabetes to have a glucagon rescue medication, the first goal is to prevent severe hypoglycemia. In this situation, the first action is to adjust the insulin dose to prevent dinnertime hypoglycemia. Of course, we would also need to connect AR and their family with social services and other resources.
Answer 3 is incorrect. About 3.18% of respondents chose this. “Reduce insulin dose and start a SGLT-2i to prevent hypoglycemia.” In this situation, the first action is to adjust the insulin dose to prevent dinnertime hypoglycemia. SGLT-2’s are off label for people living with type 1 diabetes and since AR is not in a stable situation, this would not be a good time to evaluate the effectiveness of adding on an SGLT. Of course, we would also need to connect AR and their family with social services and other resources.
Finally, Answer 4 is incorrect. 6.36% chose this answer. “Make sure AR is wearing identification that says they have type 1 diabetes.” Yes, wearing identification is recommended for people living with type 1 diabetes, but more importantly, we want to prevent hypoglycemia. In this situation, the first action is to adjust the insulin dose to prevent dinnertime hypoglycemia. Of course, we would also need to connect AR and their family with social services and other resources.
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
Want to learn more about this question?
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The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Health
Level 4 Advanced Specialty Topics
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer & a variety of other health consequences for adults. This session reviews how diabetes care & education specialists can provide screening, assessment, & trauma-informed care to individuals who experienced ACEs & are living with toxic stress. We will explore strategies to address ACES & improve outcomes for individuals & communities. Throughout, we will focus on supporting self-care with a focus on recognizing & promoting resilience.
Topics include:
- Discuss the benefits of assessing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) in individuals with diabetes.
- State the relationship between ACE Scores & the risk of future health complications.
- Describe a person-centered approach to fostering resilience & self-care for individuals with toxic stress.
- Identify two strategies to provide trauma-informed care in your work setting.
Intended Audience: These courses are knowledge-based activities designed for individual or groups of diabetes educators, including RNs, RDs, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physician Assistants and other health care providers interested in enhancing their knowledge of management of inpatient hyperglycemia.
Instructor: Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM is a working educator and a nationally recognized diabetes expert.
Two registration options:
- Enroll for FREE (No CEs): Click here to enroll.
- Earn 0.5 CEs – Fee: $19.00 – Click here to enroll in the course.
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