Instructed patient to check feet by looking between toes use a mirror if necessary or have a friend or relative to check them daily. Look for blisters, redness, cuts, breaks, and scratches and report immediately if any of these occur.
Instructed patient to check feet's temperature. If they feel cold or hot, something could be wrong.
Instructed patient to avoid soaking feet into hot water (Test water before use).
Instructed patient about the importance of avoiding getting sick. Seasonal viruses such as common cold, flu and other illnesses may cause DM episodes to increase in frequency and severity.
Instructed patient to contact doctor if any of the following occur: an illness lasting one or two days without improvement; vomiting/diarrhea that continue longer than 6 hours, blood tests that continue to run higher that 240 after taking medications, S/S of high blood sugar.
Instructed patient to avoid alcohol consumption while taking DM medications as it may cause dangerous reactions.
Instructed patient on monitoring DM, for example: testing blood sugar levels at least 3 times a day.
Instructed patient to talk to MD regarding on how to drink alcohol safely, once in a while.
Instructed patient about diabetes complications such as frequent infections.
Instructed patient on how to identify the first signs of infections.
