A patient is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. How should the nurse respond when the patient asks how long the insulin injections will be necessary?

A. "You may be able to stop the injections if you exercise regularly and adhere to the prescribed diet.": Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin due to autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin therapy is essential for life, regardless of diet or exercise. B. "Once your pancreas recovers, you may be able to discontinue the injections.": In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not recover its ability to produce insulin. The condition is chronic, and insulin therapy will be needed for life. C. "If you follow your diet closely, your blood sugar may be controlled by just taking insulin pills.": Oral hypoglycemic agents are used in type 2 diabetes, not type 1 diabetes. Clients with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections because their bodies do not produce insulin. D. "You will need insulin injections for the rest of your life.": In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin, so lifelong insulin injections or insulin pump therapy are necessary to manage blood glucose levels.