Type 1 diabetes mellitus is typically insulin-dependent and requires which of the following treatments?

• A. Oral Hypoglycemic Agents Only
• B. Supplemental Insulin Injections
• C. No Treatment Is Required
• D. Diet Therapy Alone

Answer: (B)

In type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system has destroyed most or all of the pancreatic beta cells, so there is little to no insulin being produced. Because insulin helps glucose move from the blood into cells for energy and to prevent the buildup of ketones, your body cannot regulate blood sugar without an external source of insulin. That’s why insulin injections are required—the standard long-term treatment is to provide insulin from outside the body to achieve glucose control and prevent dangerous ketoacidosis.

Oral hypoglycemic agents work by stimulating insulin release or improving insulin sensitivity, which don’t address the complete lack of insulin in type 1. Diet management helps with overall control but cannot keep blood glucose in check by itself without insulin. So the best answer is insulin injections to replace what the pancreas can no longer supply.