Upon insulin administration, what should be closely monitored?

Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential upon insulin administration because insulin directly influences how the body utilizes glucose. Insulin helps lower blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, particularly in the liver and muscle tissues. When insulin is administered, there is a risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if the dose is too high or not coordinated with food intake and physical activity. Therefore, checking blood glucose levels ensures that the insulin dosage is appropriate and helps prevent potential complications associated with both high and low blood sugar levels.

While caloric intake, exercise frequency, and creatinine levels are relevant factors in a broader context of managing a patient's overall health and diabetes care, they do not provide the immediate feedback needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of insulin therapy. Blood glucose monitoring is the most critical aspect to ensure that the treatment is achieving its intended outcome without causing adverse effects.