In a diabetic animal, which blood parameter is measured to monitor insulin therapy?

In a diabetic animal, which blood parameter is measured to monitor insulin therapy?

• A. Glucose
• B. Sodium
• C. Insulin
• D. Potassium

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that insulin therapy is designed to control blood sugar, so the parameter you monitor to judge how well it’s working is blood glucose itself. By measuring glucose levels, you can see whether insulin is lowering high readings into the target range, identify trends over time, and adjust the dose accordingly to avoid ongoing hyperglycemia or dangerous hypoglycemia. Other values like sodium or potassium can change with shifts in fluid balance or insulin use, but they don’t directly indicate how well blood glucose is being controlled. Measuring the actual glucose level gives the most immediate and useful picture of glycemic control, which is why it’s the parameter used to monitor insulin therapy.

The key idea is that insulin therapy is designed to control blood sugar, so the parameter you monitor to judge how well it’s working is blood glucose itself. By measuring glucose levels, you can see whether insulin is lowering high readings into the target range, identify trends over time, and adjust the dose accordingly to avoid ongoing hyperglycemia or dangerous hypoglycemia. Other values like sodium or potassium can change with shifts in fluid balance or insulin use, but they don’t directly indicate how well blood glucose is being controlled. Measuring the actual glucose level gives the most immediate and useful picture of glycemic control, which is why it’s the parameter used to monitor insulin therapy.