Diabetes Mellitus and Nursing Management Flashcards
Liver controls blood sugar levels when we are ______ _______.
not eating
Pancreas controls blood sugar levels when we ______.
eat
Pancreas makes a hormone called __________.
Insulin
Insulin takes sugar out of the blood and puts it in the liver where it is stored as ________. Hence, blood sugar is __________.
glycogen; decreased
Explain when and why the liver would convert glycogen into blood sugar?
This process occurs when blood sugar levels drop, signaling the body to release glucose into the bloodstream to maintain normal blood sugar levels → ensures a constant supply of glucose to the body’s tissues and organs, especially during periods of fasting or starvation.
What role does insulin play in diabetes?
When a cell needs energy, insulin acts as a key to unlock the cell. This opens the cell so sugar an enter and be used for energy – “lock and key”
Explain how the body makes energy. (5 steps)
- eat food with carbs
- carbs turn to glucose after digestion
- glucose enters blood to go to all parts of body for energy
- pancreas senses rise in blood sugar, so it makes insulin from beta cells
- insulin helps the sugar get into the cells in your body so they can use sugar as energy
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
type 1 - lack of insulin production
type 2 - insulin resistance/inefficiency
BMI range for underweight
less than 18.5
BMI range for healthy weight
18.5 to 24.9
BMI range for overweight
25 to 29.9
BMI range for obese
30 to 34.9
BMI range for extremely obese
35 or more
How to we diagnose diabetes?
-hx and physical
-BMI
-Hemoglobin A1C > or = 6.5%***** measures for the last 3 months
-Fasting blood glucose > or = 126mg/dl
-2 hour plasma glucose > or = 200mg/dl during OGTT
What is hemoglobin A1C?
-HgA1c estimates a person’s average blood sugar levels over a 3 month span.*** It is the best measure we have of how well blood glucose is controlled and an indicator of diabetes management.
-Use to diagnose and monitor progression of DM
-Limited to 3 month life span as that is the average life span of a RBC
Explain the pathophysiology of type 1 DM
-autoimmune disease
-immune system attacks the pancreas destroying beta cells and then no insulin secreted.
-No insulin available.
-therefore, totally dependent on exogenous insulin (insulin that comes from outside source).
What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes? (7)
- Slowed wound healing
- constant hunger
- frequent urination
- blurred vision
- fungal infection - itching of the skin and genitals
- unexplained weight loss
- numbness of the hands and feet
Over time, insulin resistancecan lead to_______ ______and prediabetes because the beta cells fail to keep up with the body’s increased need for_________.
type 2 diabetes; insulin
True or false: type 2 diabetes can go undetected for years.
True
What is the order in which you would treat type 2 diabetes?
To treat first try lifestyle changes, then oral medications, and then insulin is severe progression or during times of stress such as infection.
List the the “-opathy’s” that occur as a result of poor glycemic control.
-Neuropathy (pain)- central or peripheral
-Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in extremities)
-Retinopathy
-Nephropathy
What are the cardiovascular complications of poor glycemic control?
CAD and HTN
What are the ways in which poor glycemic control impacts the skin?
Delayed healing of wounds, unable to feel or identify small breaks in skin can lead to gangrene, eventually leading to amputation.