SN instructed patient that heart failure, also called Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), means your heart does not pump blood as well as it should. This does not mean your heart has stopped working, but that it is not as strong as it used to be and fluid builds up in the lungs and other parts of your body. This can cause shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, feet, and stomach. Heart failure starts slowly and can get worse over time.
SN taught patient that diabetes is a life-long disease. You will always have it, so education about your diabetes is very important. The more you learn about diabetes, the better you can control your blood glucose level and avoid complications. To learn how to manage your diabetes, work closely with your health care team.
SN taught patient on diabetes. To control your blood glucose level, you must have healthy eating habits. A healthy diet has other benefits too. Healthy eating can lead to weight loss. Losing small amounts of weight can often make a big difference in your health. Healthy eating can improve your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
SN instructed patient on Diabetes. When you have diabetes, a meal plan is important. A meal plan tells you when to eat, how much to eat, and what kinds of food to eat for meals and snacks. You need to eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain foods. The meal plan can include sugar, salt, and saturated fats, but in a way that fits into the overall plan.
SN instructed patient on diabetes and nutrition. If you take diabetes pills or insulin, your meal plan should have about the same number of calories every day. Meals should be spaced throughout the day. It’s important not to skip meals or “double up” on meals. A dietitian can help with your meal plan. The dietitian will take into account your schedule and foods you like and dislike. Each person is different, so every meal plan is different.
SN taught patient about importance of exercise with diabetes. For most people with diabetes, exercise is very important. Exercise helps your body use sugar better. As a result, your blood glucose level goes down. An exercise plan can be as simple as taking a walk every day. Get a friend to walk with you. When you do things with a buddy, it’s easier. You’ll be less tempted to skip a day. Before you start an exercise program, talk to your doctor. Exercise tends to lower blood glucose level, so your doctor may need to make some changes to your management plan.
SN instructed patient that having diabetes means you often need to make decisions about your care. The more you know about diabetes and how your daily activities affect your blood glucose levels, the easier it is to make wise decisions. Testing your blood glucose and keeping good track of your readings is essential to know how different activities, food, medication and stress levels affect your blood glucose readings.
SN taught patient that learning what affects your blood glucose levels and what to do when they are higher or lower than desired takes practice. Looking for patterns and trends can help you determine what is causing the blood glucose levels to go high or low, and can help you target what might need some adjusting.
SN educated patient/caregiver about CKD. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) means your kidneys are damaged and can’t filter blood the way they should. The main risk factors for developing kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and a family history of kidney failure. You can take steps to protect your kidneys. The most important step you can take to treat kidney disease is to control your blood pressure. Healthy habits can also help you manage your kidney disease.
Instructed patient check the wound for increased redness, swelling, or a bad odor. Patient should pay attention to the color and amount of drainage from your wound. Look for drainage that has become darker or thicker.