A nurse is caring for a client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which hormone is deficient in this condition?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Glucagon
• C. Thyroxine
• D. Insulin

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the condition: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This leads to a deficiency in insulin production.
2. Review the role of insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy or storage.
3. Differentiate the hormones listed: Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogen breakdown in the liver, and thyroxine is a thyroid hormone involved in metabolism regulation. Insulin is the hormone directly involved in glucose regulation and is deficient in type 1 diabetes.
4. Connect the deficiency to the symptoms: Without sufficient insulin, glucose cannot enter cells effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), which is a hallmark of type 1 diabetes.
5. Conclude the answer: Based on the information, the hormone deficient in type 1 diabetes mellitus is insulin.