For discharge planning in type 1 diabetes, which exercise guideline must be included?

For discharge planning in type 1 diabetes, which exercise guideline must be included?

• A. Plan exercise to coincide with the peak action of insulin
• B. Insulin should be injected into the lower extremity before exercise because that site provides the greatest absorption.
• C. Exercise should be performed daily at the same time of day and at the same intensity.
• D. Keep exercise at a minimum to conserve your energy

Answer: (C)

Regular, consistent exercise is essential in type 1 diabetes management because activity increases glucose uptake by muscles and raises insulin sensitivity, which can cause hypoglycemia if insulin levels and carbohydrate intake aren’t coordinated. Scheduling exercise daily at the same time and with the same level of effort creates a predictable metabolic response. That predictability makes it easier to plan snacks, meals, and any needed adjustments to insulin, reducing the risk of lows during or after activity and helping families manage discharge instructions reliably. Routine exercise also supports adherence, since a steady schedule is easier to maintain. Other guidance can be risky or impractical: planning exercise to coincide with the peak action of insulin can lead to lows if insulin action isn’t perfectly predicted; injecting insulin into a limb before exercise can cause variable absorption due to changes in blood flow during activity; and keeping exercise to a minimum ignores the well-established benefits of regular physical activity and can worsen glucose control.

Regular, consistent exercise is essential in type 1 diabetes management because activity increases glucose uptake by muscles and raises insulin sensitivity, which can cause hypoglycemia if insulin levels and carbohydrate intake aren’t coordinated. Scheduling exercise daily at the same time and with the same level of effort creates a predictable metabolic response. That predictability makes it easier to plan snacks, meals, and any needed adjustments to insulin, reducing the risk of lows during or after activity and helping families manage discharge instructions reliably. Routine exercise also supports adherence, since a steady schedule is easier to maintain.

Other guidance can be risky or impractical: planning exercise to coincide with the peak action of insulin can lead to lows if insulin action isn’t perfectly predicted; injecting insulin into a limb before exercise can cause variable absorption due to changes in blood flow during activity; and keeping exercise to a minimum ignores the well-established benefits of regular physical activity and can worsen glucose control.