Diabetic patients who are acutely ill require:

For acutely ill diabetic patients, a higher dose of insulin is often required due to several factors. Acute illness can increase the body's metabolic demands and stress hormones, such as cortisol and epinephrine, which can lead to increased insulin resistance. This means that the cells in the body do not respond as effectively to insulin, necessitating a greater amount of insulin to achieve the desired glycemic control.

Additionally, factors such as the stress of illness, changes in diet, oral intake, and increased production of glucose by the liver can further complicate blood sugar management. Therefore, these patients often need closer monitoring of their blood glucose levels and adjustments to their insulin regimen, which typically means increasing the dose to maintain effective glucose control and prevent complications from hyperglycemia.

In contrast, the other options suggest either less insulin or no insulin at all, which does not account for the physiological changes that occur during acute illness in diabetic patients. Managing diabetes during acute illnesses requires careful consideration of these changes to ensure patient safety and optimal recovery.