The nurse practitioner diagnosed a 3-year-old with type 1 diabetes mellitus. After initiating insulin therapy, establishing glycemic control is paramount. The glycemic target for this child should be:

Rationale: A. An HbA1c target of <6.5% is often too strict for very young children and may increase the risk of hypoglycemia. B. An HbA1c target of <7.0% is appropriate for older children and adolescents but may not be safe for toddlers and preschoolers. C. For children aged 6 years and younger, the American Diabetes Association recommends a target HbA1c of <7.5% to balance glycemic control with the risk of hypoglycemia, making it a safe and practical goal for a 3-year-old. D. An HbA1c <8.0% is generally considered a less stringent target and may be acceptable in children with high risk of hypoglycemia or limited access to care, but the preferred target is <7.5% for this age group.