The nurse stresses that the patient with type 1 diabetes is at risk for cardiovascular disorders because the lack of insulin causes:

The nurse stresses that the patient with type 1 diabetes is at risk for cardiovascular disorders because the lack of insulin causes:

• A. high glucose levels that irritate and shrink the vessels.
• B. inadequate metabolism of proteins, which causes ketosis.
• C. increased fatty acid levels.
• D. increased metabolism of ketones, which causes hypertension.

Answer: (C)

Insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes releases the brake on fat breakdown. Without insulin, adipose tissue undergoes increased lipolysis, so free fatty acids flood the bloodstream. The liver then uses these fatty acids to produce ketones and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, leading to higher levels of circulating fatty acids and associated dyslipidemia. This shift promotes atherosclerotic changes and raises the risk of cardiovascular disorders. That’s why increased fatty acid levels best explain the elevated cardiovascular risk with lack of insulin. The other statements aren’t as accurate: hyperglycemia does contribute to vascular damage but doesn’t pinpoint the primary metabolic driver here; ketosis stems from fat breakdown but the option focusing on protein metabolism isn’t correct; and hypertension isn’t caused by “increased metabolism of ketones” in this context.

Insulin deficiency in type 1 diabetes releases the brake on fat breakdown. Without insulin, adipose tissue undergoes increased lipolysis, so free fatty acids flood the bloodstream. The liver then uses these fatty acids to produce ketones and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, leading to higher levels of circulating fatty acids and associated dyslipidemia. This shift promotes atherosclerotic changes and raises the risk of cardiovascular disorders.

That’s why increased fatty acid levels best explain the elevated cardiovascular risk with lack of insulin. The other statements aren’t as accurate: hyperglycemia does contribute to vascular damage but doesn’t pinpoint the primary metabolic driver here; ketosis stems from fat breakdown but the option focusing on protein metabolism isn’t correct; and hypertension isn’t caused by “increased metabolism of ketones” in this context.