DIABETES FOOT

Question 1

Which parts of the foot should be targeting in the monofilament sensation test?

Answer 1

Big Toe
Third Toe
Bottom of foot; between the big toes and middle, between middle toes and third between fourth toe and last.(Metatarsophalangeal joints)

Question 2

How do you test a patients GAIT?

Answer 2

Ask a patient to walk to the end of the examination room and turn back and walk.

Question 3

What regions do you palpate during diabetic foot inspection?

Answer 3

Assess and compare lower limb temperature
Palpate the posterior tibial pulse
Palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse
Palpate the popliteal pulse

Question 4

What can the temperature of a foot/ leg indicate.

Answer 4

Cold limb- Peripheral Vascular Disease
Hot limb- Cellulitis /DVT

Question 5

What other assessment should be taken in a diabetic foot inspection?

Answer 5

Vibration sensation
Proprioception
Ankle-jerk reflex

Question 6

What are the general things you should be inspecting at the beginning of a diabetic foot inspection.

Answer 6

Colour
Skin Abnormalities
Ulcers
Oedema
Calluses
Joint Deformities

Question 7

What specifically should you assess when checking the patients gait?

Answer 7

-Speed: gait speed may be reduced significantly in patients with advanced peripheral neuropathy.

-Stance: a broad-based gait may be associated with advanced peripheral neuropathy to increase stability.

-Steps: high-stepping may indicate the presence of foot drop.

-Turning: patients with peripheral neuropathy can find turning difficult and they may look down at their feet whilst turning due to impairment of sensation and proprioception.

Question 8

What specific hertz should the tuning fork be set to?

Answer 8

128 Hz