A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is receiving regular insulin before breakfast. To prevent hypoglycemia, the nurse should ensure that the patient's meal is served within which time frame after insulin administration?

A. 30 minutes–1 hour: Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that begins to lower blood glucose within 30 minutes, peaks at 2–4 hours, and lasts 5–8 hours. Serving the meal within 30–60 minutes of administration helps prevent hypoglycemia during the onset of insulin action. B. 30 minutes–3 hours: While the onset is around 30 minutes, waiting up to 3 hours risks hypoglycemia because the insulin would already be active before the patient eats. The meal should be provided promptly, not delayed. C. 1.5 to 2 hours after administering: Waiting 1.5–2 hours delays food intake until the insulin is near its peak effect, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. This timing is unsafe for regular insulin. D. 2–4 hours after administering: Providing food 2–4 hours post-injection coincides with the insulin peak, which greatly increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Meals must be timed closer to administration for safety.