Why does a newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1 client need insulin shots instead of pills?

A newly diagnosed client with type 1 diabetes requires insulin injections primarily because insulin cannot be effectively administered in pill form due to the way it is metabolized in the body. Insulin is a peptide hormone made up of chains of amino acids that would be broken down by the digestive system if taken orally. This breakdown would prevent the insulin from entering the bloodstream in an active form, rendering it ineffective.

Consequently, insulin must be injected to bypass the digestive system and ensure that it enters the bloodstream directly, allowing it to regulate blood glucose levels effectively. This is a fundamental aspect of managing type 1 diabetes, as the body does not produce insulin at all due to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the reasons for needing insulin shots in type 1 diabetes management. While there are different types of medications for diabetes, they do not replace the need for insulin in type 1, and the severity of blood sugar levels does not dictate the form of treatment in this case. Additionally, while some may find managing insulin via shots to have its own complexities, the primary reason is the necessity for effective absorption and action of the hormone.