Glucose Regulation

Glucose Regulation

Case Study

What point should the nurse focus on regarding the importance of foot care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus? Educating the patient on how the disease process affects the feet can lead to proper self-care. Blood vessels in the feet become compromised, causing a decrease in potential blood flow circulation. Motor neurons are compromised as well causing a decrease in pain sensation. Patients should be taught to examine feet including between the toes and under feet routinely. As irritation to the feet can occur due to multiple reasons patients need to be proactive about preventing this. Patients with diabetes take twice as long to heal wounds and unfortunately due to the deficit in motor neurons may not realize they have it and worsen the wound leading to potential gangrene. Clipping the toenails is just as important due to the decreased sensitivity and for the potential of a cut. Finally patients will experience dry and potentially cracked feet, moisturizing with help prevent this with the exception of between the toes. A recommendation would be to see a podiatrist on a daily basis if available (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013).
What specific eye and visual complications should the nurse describe to Ms. Jackson, and what recommendations for visual care should be provided? There are several eye complications that can occur, the three most common are glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Glaucoma occurs as pressure builds up in the eye causing the aqueous fluid to escape and block the small vessels from blood flow obstructing vision. Cataracts cause the clouding of the lens of the eye causing major visual focus difficulties. Retinopathy occurs as a result of damage to the small blood vessels and causes complete blindness. All of these complications are associated and linked to increased blood