Diabetes: Pathophysiology, Signs/Symptoms, Labs, Treatment & more - Medical-Surgical | @LevelUpRN

Level Up RN2 minutes read

Diabetes is a significant topic in nursing, with different types and symptoms like polydipsia and weight loss. Diagnosis is based on specific lab results, and treatment includes insulin or oral medications to control blood glucose levels and prevent complications.

Insights

  • Understanding the pathophysiology of diabetes is crucial, as it involves chronic hyperglycemia due to insufficient insulin production or resistance, with distinct types including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, each requiring specific management strategies.
  • Proper diagnosis and treatment of diabetes rely on specific lab results and tailored approaches, such as insulin for type 1 diabetes and options like insulin or oral antidiabetic medications for type 2, emphasizing the importance of patient education on foot care and illness management to prevent severe complications like foot ulcers and diabetic ketoacidosis.

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Recent questions

  • What are the main types of diabetes?

    Type 1, Type 2, Gestational

  • What are common symptoms of diabetes?

    Polydipsia, Polyphagia, Polyuria, Weight loss, Dehydration, Fruity breath, Kussmaul respirations, Nausea, Weakness, Lethargy

  • How is diabetes diagnosed?

    Specific lab results: Casual blood glucose over 200, Fasting blood glucose over 126, Glucose over 200 with an oral glucose tolerance test, Hgb A1c over 6.5%

  • What is the treatment for type 1 diabetes?

    Insulin

  • How can diabetes complications be prevented?

    Foot care, Illness management, Maintain Hgb A1c under 7%

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Summary

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Understanding Diabetes for Nursing Care and Education

  • Diabetes mellitus is a crucial topic for nursing students and practicing nurses due to its prevalence and associated comorbidities, necessitating a deep understanding for patient care and education.
  • The pathophysiology of diabetes involves chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient insulin production or resistance, with three main types: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
  • Type 1 diabetes entails beta cell destruction in the pancreas, leading to insulin dependence, while type 2 diabetes involves insulin resistance and reduced production, often linked to risk factors like obesity, inactivity, and genetics.
  • Symptoms of diabetes, reflecting hyperglycemia, include polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, weight loss, warm and dry skin, dehydration, fruity breath, Kussmaul respirations, nausea, weakness, and lethargy.
  • Diagnosis of diabetes is based on specific lab results, such as casual blood glucose over 200, fasting blood glucose over 126, glucose over 200 with an oral glucose tolerance test, or an Hgb A1c over 6.5% on separate days.
  • Treatment involves insulin for type 1 diabetes, while type 2 patients can use insulin or oral antidiabetic medications, aiming to maintain Hgb A1c levels under 7%; foot care and illness management are crucial aspects of patient education to prevent complications like foot ulcers and diabetic ketoacidosis.
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