NURS 6501: MIDTERM EXAM: Please contact Assignment Samurai for help with NURS 6501: Midterm Exam or any other assignment. Email: assignmentsamurai@gmail.com   Which of the following is the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus? Group of answer choices

• Excessive production of insulin by the pancreas
• Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells
• Resistance to insulin
• Sudden onset of hyperglycemia in childhood

  The correct answer is Resistance to insulin. Explanation: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is primarily caused by insulin resistance. In this condition, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, the body requires more insulin to keep blood glucose levels in check. Over time, the pancreas struggles to produce enough insulin to overcome the resistance, leading to elevated blood glucose levels. Why the other options are incorrect:

• Excessive production of insulin by the pancreas: In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may actually produce more insulin in an attempt to overcome the resistance. However, this excessive production does not cause diabetes but rather occurs as a compensatory mechanism in the face of insulin resistance. Over time, pancreatic beta cells may become exhausted, and insulin production can decrease.
• Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells: This is the underlying cause of type 1 diabetes, not type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin production.
• Sudden onset of hyperglycemia in childhood: This description is more characteristic of type 1 diabetes, which often presents with a sudden onset of symptoms, including hyperglycemia, in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes usually develops gradually over time and is more common in adults, particularly those who are overweight or obese.

Conclusion: The underlying cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels.