A nurse is educating a group of parents about the etiology of diabetes mellitus in children.
Which statement by the nurse accurately explains one of the causes of diabetes mellitus in children?

Choice B rationale:

Elevating the head of the bed 30 degrees is the most appropriate initial intervention for a child with DKA experiencing cerebral edema.

Cerebral edema is a serious complication of DKA, and it can lead to increased intracranial pressure.

Elevating the head of the bed helps to reduce intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage from the brain.

This intervention should be initiated promptly to help alleviate the symptoms and prevent further complications.

Administering mannitol (choice A) or oxygen (choice C) can be considered later, but elevating the head of the bed is the priority.

Monitoring vital signs (choice D) is important but not the first action in addressing elevated intracranial pressure.

Choice A rationale:

The statement mentions that children with a family history of diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition.

While family history is a risk factor for diabetes, it doesn't explain the causes of diabetes mellitus in children.

It only highlights one of the risk factors.

Choice B rationale:

This statement accurately explains one of the causes of diabetes mellitus in children.

In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

This immune-mediated destruction of beta cells is a key factor in the development of type 1 diabetes in children.

Choice C rationale:

This statement mentions that certain viral infections and dietary factors may trigger the development of diabetes in susceptible individuals.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is more relevant to type 2 diabetes as it mentions a combination of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.