Ace the 2025 RN Endocrine Exam – Empower Your Nursing Journey!

The statement about Type 1 diabetes requiring insulin therapy accurately reflects a fundamental characteristic of this condition. In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin being produced. As a result, individuals with Type 1 diabetes depend on external sources of insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels, making insulin therapy essential for their survival and management of the disease.

In contrast, Type 2 diabetes typically involves insulin resistance or a relative lack of insulin production, rather than the absolute deficiency seen in Type 1. While lifestyle changes can be effective in managing Type 2 diabetes, the condition is not classified as autoimmune like Type 1, where the destruction of beta cells is driven by an autoimmune process. Therefore, insulin therapy might not be immediately required in Type 2 diabetes, as the condition can often be managed through lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin in later stages.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for nursing professionals who need to educate patients on the differing management strategies and implications of each type of diabetes.