179) ANSWER

A) Chronic elevated blood glucose levels damage cells and causes multiple organ damage.

RATIONALE

Research by the National Institute of Health and the American Diabetes Association demonstrates a strong correlation between chronic hyperglycemia and complications of retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Thus, there is damage to the eyes, kidneys, and peripheral nerves, respectively. Lactic acidosis occurs with diabetic ketoacidosis (option 2). Option 3 is a false rationale for the client in the question. Insulin is needed to carry glucose across the cell membrane into the cell, not to be transported in the blood (option 4). Recall knowledge of the long term complications of hyperglycemia.