catheter-teaching-guide
Diabetes
Instructed in storage and disposal of equipment: check expiration date, keep spare bottle in refrigerator, do not change brand, match syringe type.
Instructed in complications of diabetes such as frequent infections. Instructed to manage frequent infections, to learn to spot the first signs of infections and what to do about them, bathe every day with mild soap and lukewarm water. Lotion may be applied to keep skin moist. Wear gloves when working outside. Always wear shoes and treat injuies promptly by cleansing with soap and water.
Instructed in complication of diabetes such as heart attacks stroke and instructed in measures prevent it such as monitor your cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels, to follow prescribe exercise and diets, keep MD appoiment.
Instructed in visiting an ophthalmologist, an MD who specializes in eye care inmediately if there are any of these symptoms of eye damage: blurred or double vision, narrowed field of vision, seeing dark spots, feeling of pressure or pain in the eyes and difficulty seeing in dim light.
Instructed in possible complications of diabetes such as kidney disease. The early kidney damage has no symptoms. However, a blood test is now available to detect diabetic kidney damage at an early stage when it is still reversible. This is called the microalbumin test.
Instructed that alcohol may lower glucose levels and therefore should be avoided.
Instructed in how to list possible causes of high blood sugars: excess food, insufficient insulin, lack of exercise, stress, infection or fever.
Instructed in how to recognize signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as frequent urination, excessive thirst, headache, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, etc.
Instructed in knowing what to do if symptoms of high blood sugar occur: contact physician or go to emergency room.
Instructed in knowing what to do if symptoms of low blood sugar occur: eat some form of glucose or carbohydrate, notify physician or go to emergency room if symptoms persist.