DIABETES
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.
Instructed in Novolin 70/30 to manage diabetes. In addition, warned of possible S/E such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence. Adverse effects usually occur during the first few week of therapy. Generally, these effects diminish over time.
Instructed in new medication Glucovance to improve glycemic control in patients with type-two diabetes whose hyperglycemia cannot be controlled with diet and exercise alone. In addition, warned of possible S/E such as headache, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, or upper respiratory tract infection. Instructed to take one daily with breakfast and, if twice daily, then at breakfast and dinner. Stop drug and tell prescriber of unexplained hyperventilation, myalgia, malaise, unusual somnolence, or other symptoms of early lactic acidosis. GI symptoms are common with initial drug therapy but GI symptoms that occur after prolonged therapy may be related to lactic acidosis or other serious disease and should be reported promptly. Instructed not to take any other drugs, including OTC drugs, without checking with prescriber.
Instructed in factors that increase the risk of stroke such as age, family history, race, prior stroke, history of diabetes, cardiac and renal disease, among others.
Instructed in measures to prevent a stroke: prevent atherosclerosis, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, monitor and control diabetes, high blood pressure, or other diseases, etc.
Instructed in measures important in foot care of the diabetic: inspect feet dialy, report any foot problems to podiatrist or physician, wash feet dialy with warm soap and water and pat dry; especially between toes.
