Basic Diabetes Facts for Nurses

Question 1

The nurse enters the patient’s room and he appears diaphoretic, his mental status is altered and his extremities are cool to touch? What’s the next best course of action for the nurse in this scenario?

Answer 1

Check a fingerstick blood glucose level.

Note: The patient is most likely experiencing signs of hypoglycemia, which is characterized as a blood glucose less than 70. (https://diabetes.org, American Diabetes Association).

Question 2

The patient complains frequent urination, excessive hunger, and excessive thirst for the last couple of weeks. The patient also admits she has not take her diabetes medicaitons and insulin for the last couple of weeks. The nurse also notices that his breath smells sweet and fruity? Which is best course action for the nurse at this time?

Answer 2

Check a fingerstick blood glucose level. Patient is showing signs of hyperglycemia.

Note: According to the American Diabetes Association, blood glucose above 240, high levels of glucose and ketones in the urine, frequent urination, and excessive hunger are all signs of hyperglycemia (https://diabetes.org) American Association of Diabetes).

Question 3

The nurse performs an assessment and the patient reports his vision has been blurred for quite some now. He admits he has type 2 diabetes but has not had an eye exam in years. What is the best course of action for the nurse at this time?

Answer 3

Perform the Snellen chart eye exam

Note: The patient has Type 2 diabetes and needs a retinal eye exam by an Opthamologist. The nurse must share results of Snellen eye chart exam with PCP.

Question 4

The nurse is repositioning a patient who immobile and confined to the bed. The patient is noted to Type 2 diabetes. The nurse notices that the patient has developed a red area with broken skin on the buttocks of the patient? What is the best course of action for the nurse at this time?

Answer 4

The nurse must measure and provide pertinent documentation of the wound.

Note: The nurse must be evaulate the stages of pressure ulcers and document accurately. Diabetic pressure ulcers are common in diabetic patients. Nurse must also consult with physician.

Question 5

A nurse performs an assessment for an adult male who has Type 2 diabetes, and he complains of numbness and tingling in his lower legs. She also notices his lower legs are dark red purple discoloration and his dorsalis pedis pulses, what the best course of action for the nurse at this time?

Answer 5

Report findings to the physician immediately.

Note: The patient likely has diabetic peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and/or peripheral vascular disease. Patient will mostly likely require lower extremitiy doppler studies and Vascular consultation.

Question 6

The nurse mistakenly administers the wrong dose of insulin, but the patient is asymptomatic? What is the best course of action for the nurse at this time?

Answer 6

Report incident to the charge nurse and notify the physician

Note; Most healthcare facilities have incident report documentation to be completed in these types of scenarios. The nurse must notify the charge nurse and physician of the incident.

Question 7

A female adult patient complains of burning with urination, and vaginal ithcing with white discharge. She admits she has type 2 diabetes, but ran out of her diabetic meds and insuiin a week ago. She also complaints of severe low back pain. She admits all her symptoms started about three days ago. What is the best course of action for the nurse at this time.

Answer 7

Perform urine dipstick and notify PCP of results

Note: Patient likely has an urinary tract infection.