DIABETES
Diseases Process
Instructed in S/S of hypoglycemia, including cold sweat, shaking, blurred vision, faintness, hunger, headache, confused thinking and impatience. Instructed if these S/S occur to take fast acting sugar, such as orange juice with sugar or glucose tablets.
Instructed patient about factors that increase risk for pneumonia, such as smoking and air pollution, upper respiratory infections, prolonged immobility, malnutrition; chronic diseases: diabetes, cancer, renal disease, cardiac disease; exposure to cold, damp weather, inhalation of noxious substances, use of immunosuppressive drugs; age: very young or very old, frequent intoxication from alcohol.
Instructed patient about the importance of seeing an ophthalmologist immediately if any of the S/S occur: blurred or double vision, narrowed field of vision, seeing dark spots, pressured feeling or pain in the eyes and difficulty seeing in dim light.
Instructed diabetic patient about the possible complications of kidney disease. Even though early kidney damage has no symptoms; there is a blood test called Microalbumin now available to detect early diabetic kidney damage while still reversible.
Instructed patient about possible causes of hypoglycemia such as too much insulin, not enough food, and overexertion or GI disturbance.
Instructed patient on possible causes of hyperglycemia such as too little insulin, too much or the wrong kind of food, infection, injury, illness, decreased activity.
Instructed patient about proper storage and disposal of equipment: checking expiration date, keeping spare bottle in refrigerator, not changing the brand, match syringe type.
Instructed patient on how to properly use testing strips: wash hands with lukewarm water and mild soap, stick side of finger (not the tip), dry finger well before procedure, change fingers every test, and use the thinnest lancet, as that will give you the best drop of blood.
Instructed patient on the use of home glucose monitor to ensure accuracy of results.
Instructed patient about basic tips to help prevent infections in people with diabetes: wear shoes or slippers at all times, wear comfortable shoes; get used to new shoes slowly and always wear 'heavy' soft cotton socks.
