Melvin, a 32-year- old,always complains of his increasing need for water. He also feels an increasing need to urinate almost every now and then,and always feels hungry. There is tingling on his extremities and numbness. His once clear vision is now experiencing cloudiness. He already feels tired just a few hours after waking up even though he does not have any job and only stays at home. The wound on his right knee has been there weeks but no improvement is seen.
- 1 Description
- 2 Classification
- 3 Pathophysiology
- 4 Epidemiology
- 5 Causes
- 6 Clinical Manifestations
- 7 Prevention
- 8 Complications
- 9 Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
- 10 Medical Management
- 11 Nursing Management
- 12 Practice Quiz: Diabetes Mellitus
- 13 See Also
- 14 Further Reading
- Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases that occurs with increased levels of glucose in the blood.
- Diabetes mellitus most often results in defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or even both.
The classification system of diabetes mellitus is unique because research findings suggest many differences among individuals within each category, and patients can even move from one category to another, except for patients with type 1 diabetes.
- Diabetes has major classifications that include type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and diabetes mellitus associated with other conditions.
- The two types of diabetes mellitus are differentiated based on their causative factors, clinical course, and management.
Diabetes Mellitus has different courses of pathophysiology because of it has several types.
- Insulin is secreted by beta cells in the pancreas and it is an anabolic hormone.
- When we consume food, insulin moves glucose from blood to muscle, liver, and fat cells as insulin level increases.
- The functions of insulin include the transport and metabolism of glucose for energy, stimulation of storage of glucose in the liver and muscle, serves as the signal of the liver to stop releasing glucose, enhancement of the storage of dietary fat in adipose tissue, and acceleration of the transport of amino acid into cells.
- Insulin and glucagon maintain a constant level of glucose in the blood by stimulating the release of glucose from the liver.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by destruction of the pancreatic beta cells.
- A common underlying factor in the development of type 1 diabetes is a genetic susceptibility.
- Destruction of beta cells leads to a decrease in insulin production, unchecked glucose production by the liver and fasting hyperglycemia.
- Glucose taken from food cannot be stored in the liver anymore but remains in the blood stream.
- The kidneys will not reabsorb the glucose once it has exceeded the renal threshold, so it will appear in the urine and be called glycosuria.
- Excessive loss of fluids is accompanied by excessive excretion of glucose in the urine leading to osmotic diuresis.
- There is fat breakdown which results in ketone production, the by-product of fat breakdown.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus has major problems of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
- Insulin could not bind with the special receptors so insulin becomes less effective at stimulating glucose uptake and at regulating the glucose release.
- There must be increased amounts of insulin to maintain glucose level at a normal or slightly elevated level.
- However, there is enough insulin to prevent the breakdown of fats and production of ketones.
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes could lead to hyperglycemic, hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome.
- The usual symptoms that the patient may feel are polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatigue, irritability, poorly healing skin wounds, vaginal infections, or blurred vision.
- With gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the pregnant woman experiences any degree of glucose intolerance with the onset of pregnancy.
- The secretion of placental hormones causes insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia.
- After delivery, blood glucose levels in women with GDM usually return to normal or later on develop type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is now one of the most common disease all over the world. Here are some quick facts and numbers on diabetes mellitus.
- More than 23 million people in the United States have diabetes, yet almost one-third are undiagnosed.
- By 2030, the number of cases is expected to increase more than 30 million.
- Diabetes is especially prevalent in the elderly; 50% of people older than 65 years old have some degree of glucose intolerance.
- People who are 65 years and older account for 40% of people with diabetes.
- African-Americans and members of other racial and ethnic groups are more likely to develop diabetes.
- In the United States, diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputations, blindness in working-age adults, and end-stage renal disease.
- Diabetes is the third leading cause of death from disease.
- Costs related to diabetes are estimated to be almost $174 billion annually.
The exact cause of diabetes mellitus is actually unknown, yet there are factors that contribute to the development of the disease.
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Genetics. Genetics may have played a role in the destruction of the beta cells in type 1 DM.
- Environmental factors. Exposure to some environmental factors like viruses can cause the destruction of the beta cells.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Weight. Excessive weight or obesity is one of the factors that contribute to type 2 DM because it causes insulin resistance.
- Inactivity. Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can also cause insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion.
- Weight. If you are overweight before pregnancy and added extra weight, it makes it hard for the body to use insulin.
- Genetics. If you have a parent or a sibling who has type 2 DM, you are most likely predisposed to GDM.
Clinical manifestations depend on the level of the patient’s hyperglycemia.
- Polyuria or increased urination. Polyuria occurs because the kidneys remove excess sugar from the blood, resulting in a higher urine production.
- Polydipsia or increased thirst. Polydipsia is present because the body loses more water as polyuria happens, triggering an increase in the patient’s thirst.
- Polyphagia or increased appetite. Although the patient may consume a lot of food but glucose could not enter the cells because of insulin resistance or lack of insulin production.
- Fatigue and weakness. The body does not receive enough energy from the food that the patient is ingesting.
- Sudden vision changes.The body pulls away fluid from the eye in an attempt to compensate the loss of fluid in the blood, resulting in trouble in focusing the vision.
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet. Tingling and numbness occur due to a decrease in glucose in the cells.
- Dry skin. Because of polyuria, the skin becomes dehydrated.
- Skin lesions or wounds that are slow to heal. Instead of entering the cells, glucose crowds inside blood vessels, hindering the passage of white blood cells which are needed for wound healing.
- Recurrent infections. Due to the high concentration of glucose, bacteria thrives easily.
Appropriate management of lifestyle can effectively prevent the development of diabetes mellitus.
- Standard lifestyle recommendations, metformin, and placebo are given to people who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
- The 16-lesson curriculum of the intensive program of lifestyle modifications focused on weight reduction of greater than 7% of initial body weight and physical activity of moderate intensity.
- It also included behavior modification strategies that can help patients achieve their weight reduction goals and participate in exercise.
If diabetes mellitus is left untreated, several complications may arise from the disease.
- Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood glucose falls to less than 50 to 60 mg/dL because of too much insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, too little food, or excessive physical activity.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis. DKA is caused by an absence or markedly inadequate amounts of insulin and has three major features of hyperglycemia, dehydration and electrolyte loss, and acidosis.
- Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome. HHNS is a serious condition in which hyperosmolarity and hyperglycemia predominate with alteration in the sense of awareness.
Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
Hypoglycemia may occur suddenly in a patient considered hyperglycemic because their blood glucose levels may fall rapidly to 120 mg/dL or even less.
- Serum glucose: Increased 200–1000 mg/dL or more.
- Serum acetone (ketones): Strongly positive.
- Fatty acids: Lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol level elevated.
- Serum osmolality: Elevated but usually less than 330 mOsm/L.
- Glucagon: Elevated level is associated with conditions that produce (1) actual hypoglycemia, (2) relative lack of glucose (e.g., trauma, infection), or (3) lack of insulin. Therefore, glucagon may be elevated with severe DKA despite hyperglycemia.
- Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C): Evaluates glucose control during past 8–12 wk with the previous 2 wk most heavily weighted. Useful in differentiating inadequate control versus incident-related DKA (e.g., current upper respiratory infection [URI]). A result greater than 8% represents an average blood glucose of 200 mg/dL and signals a need for changes in treatment.
- Serum insulin: May be decreased/absent (type 1) or normal to high (type 2), indicating insulin insufficiency/improper utilization (endogenous/exogenous). Insulin resistance may develop secondary to formation of antibodies.
- Sodium: May be normal, elevated, or decreased.
- Potassium: Normal or falsely elevated (cellular shifts), then markedly decreased.
- Phosphorus: Frequently decreased.
- Arterial blood gases (ABGs): Usually reflects low pH and decreased HCO3 (metabolic acidosis) with compensatory respiratory alkalosis.
- CBC: Hct may be elevated (dehydration); leukocytosis suggest hemoconcentration, response to stress or infection.
- BUN: May be normal or elevated (dehydration/decreased renal perfusion).
- Serum amylase: May be elevated, indicating acute pancreatitis as cause of DKA.
- Thyroid function tests: Increased thyroid activity can increase blood glucose and insulin needs.
- Urine: Positive for glucose and ketones; specific gravity and osmolality may be elevated.
- Cultures and sensitivities: Possible UTI, respiratory or wound infections.
Here are some medical interventions that are performed to manage diabetes mellitus.
- Normalize insulin activity. This is the main goal of diabetes treatment — normalization of blood glucose levels to reduce the development of vascular and neuropathic complications.
- Intensive treatment. Intensive treatment is three to four insulin injections per day or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, insulin pump therapy plus frequent blood glucose monitoring and weekly contacts with diabetes educators.
- Exercise caution with intensive treatment. Intensive therapy must be done with caution and must be accompanied by thorough education of the patient and family and by responsible behavior of patient.
- Diabetes management has five components and involves constant assessment and modification of the treatment plan by healthcare professionals and daily adjustments in therapy by the patient.
- The foundations. Nutrition, meal planning, and weight control are the foundations of diabetes management.
- Consult a professional. A registered dietitian who understands diabetes management has the major responsibility for designing and teaching this aspect of the therapeutic plan.
- Healthcare team should have the knowledge. Nurses and other health care members of the team must be knowledgeable about nutritional therapy and supportive of patients who need to implement nutritional and lifestyle changes.
- Weight loss. This is the key treatment for obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
- How much weight to lose? A weight loss of as small as 5% to 10% of the total body weight may significantly improve blood glucose levels.
- Other options for diabetes management. Diet education, behavioral therapy, group support, and ongoing nutritional counselling should be encouraged.
- Criteria in meal planning. The meal plan must consider the patient’s food preferences, lifestyle, usual eating times, and ethnic and cultural background.
- Managing hypoglycemia through meals. To help prevent hypoglycemic reactions and maintain overall blood glucose control, there should be consistency in the approximate time intervals between meals with the addition of snacks as needed.
- Assessment is still necessary. The patient’s diet history should be thoroughly reviewed to identify his or her eating habits and lifestyle.
- Educate the patient. Health education should include the importance of consistent eating habits, the relationship of food and insulin, and the provision of an individualized meal plan.
- The nurse’s role. The nurse plays an important role in communicating pertinent information to the dietitian and reinforcing the patients for better understanding.
Other Dietary Concerns
- Alcohol consumption. Patients with diabetes do not need to give up alcoholic beverages entirely, but they must be aware of the potential adverse of alcohol specific to diabetes.
- If a patient with diabetes consumes alcohol on an empty stomach, there is an increased likelihood of hypoglycemia.
- Reducing hypoglycemia. The patient must be cautioned to consume food along with alcohol, however, carbohydrate consumed with alcohol may raise blood glucose.
- How much alcohol intake? Moderate intake is considered to be one alcoholic beverage per day for women and two alcoholic beverages per day for men.
- Artificial sweeteners. Use of artificial sweeteners is acceptable, and there are two types of sweeteners: nutritive and nonnutritive.
- Types of sweeteners. Nutritive sweeteners include all of which provides calories in amounts similar to sucrose while nonnutritive have minimal or no calories.
- Exercise. Exercise lowers blood glucose levels by increasing the uptake of glucose by body muscles and by improving insulin utilization.
- A person with diabetes should exercise at the same time and for the same amount each day or regularly.
- A slow, gradual increase in the exercise period is encouraged.
Using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
- A continuous glucose monitoring system is inserted subcutaneously in the abdomen and connected to the device worn on a belt.
- This can be used to determine whether treatment is adequate over a 24-hour period.
- Blood glucose readings are analyzed after 72 hours when the data has been downloaded from the device.
Testing for Glycated Hemoglobin
- Glycated hemoglobin or glycosylated hemoglobin, HgbA1C, or A1C reflects the average blood glucose levels over a period of approximately 2 to 3 months.
- The longer the amount of glucose in the blood remains above normal, the more glucose binds to hemoglobin and the higher the glycated hemoglobin becomes.
- Normal values typically range from 4% to 6% and indicate consistently near-normal blood glucose concentrations.
- Exogenous insulin. In type 1 diabetes, exogenous insulin must be administered for life because the body loses the ability to produce insulin.
- Insulin in type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, insulin may be necessary on a long-term basis to control glucose levels if meal planning and oral agents are ineffective.
- Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG). This is the cornerstone of insulin therapy because accurate monitoring is essential.
- Human insulin. Human insulin preparations have a shorter duration of action because the presence of animal proteins triggers an immune response that results in the binding of animal insulin.
- Rapid-acting insulin. Rapid-acting insulins produce a more rapid effect that is of shorter duration than regular insulin.
- Short-acting insulin. Short-acting insulins or regular insulin should be administered 20-30 minutes before a meal, either alone or in combination with a longer-acting insulin.
- Intermediate-acting insulin. Intermediate-acting insulins or NPH or Lente insulin appear white and cloudy and should be administered with food around the time of the onset and peak of these insulins.
- The rapid-acting and short-acting insulins are expected to cover the increase in blood glucose levels after meals; immediately after the injection.
- Intermediate-acting insulins are expected to cover subsequent meals, and long-acting insulins provide a relatively constant level of insulin and act as a basal insulin.
- Approaches to insulin therapy. There are two general approaches to insulin therapy: conventional and intensive.
- Conventional regimen. Conventional regimen is a simplified regimen wherein the patient should not vary meal patterns and activity levels.
- Intensive regimen. Intensive regimen uses a more complex insulin regimen to achieve as much control over blood glucose levels as is safe and practical.
- A more complex insulin regimen allows the patient more flexibility to change the insulin doses from day to day in accordance with changes in eating and activity patterns.
- Methods of insulin delivery. Methods of insulin delivery include traditional subcutaneous injections, insulin pens, jet injectors, and insulin pumps.
- Insulin pens use small prefilled insulin cartridges that are loaded into a pen-like holder.
- Insulin is delivered by dialing in a dose or pushing a button for every 1- or 2-unit increment administered.
- Jet injectors deliver insulin through the skin under pressure in an extremely fine stream.
- Insulin pumps involve continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion with the use of small, externally worn devices that closely mimic the function of the pancreas.
- Oral antidiabetic agents may be effective for patients who have type 2 diabetes that cannot be treated by MNT and exercise alone.
- Oral antidiabetic agents. Oral antidiabetic agents include sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4.
- Half of all the patients who used oral antidiabetic agents eventually require insulin, and this is called secondary failure.
- Primary failure occurs when the blood glucose level remains high 1 month after initial medication use.
Nurses should provide accurate and up-to-date information about the patient’s condition so that the healthcare team can come up with appropriate interventions and management.
The nurse should assess the following for patients with Diabetes Mellitus:
- Assess the patient’s history. To determine if there is presence of diabetes, assessment of history of symptoms related to the diagnosis of diabetes, results of blood glucose monitoring, adherence to prescribed dietary, pharmacologic, and exercise regimen, the patient’s lifestyle, cultural, psychosocial, and economic factors, and effects of diabetes on functional status should be performed.
- Assess physical condition. Assess the patient’s blood pressure while sitting and standing to detect orthostatic changes.
- Assess the body mass index and visual acuity of the patient.
- Perform examination of foot, skin, nervous system and mouth.
- Laboratory examinations. HgbA1C, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, microalbuminuria test, serum creatinine level, urinalysis, and ECG must be requested and performed.
The following are diagnoses observed from a patient with diabetes mellitus.
- Risk for unstable blood glucose level related to insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and destruction of beta cells.
- Risk for infection related to delayed healing of open wounds.
- Deficient knowledge related to unfamiliarity with information, lack of recall, or misinterpretation.
- Risk for disturbed sensory perception related to endogenous chemical alterations.
- Impaired skin integrity related to delayed wound healing.
- Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion related to too much glucose in the bloodstream
Planning and Goals
Main article: 13+ Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Care Plans
Achievement of goals is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
- Acknowledge factors that lead to unstable blood glucose.
- Maintain glucose in satisfactory range.
- Verbalize plan for modifying factors to prevent or minimize shifts in glucose levels.
- Achieve timely wound healing.
- Identify interventions to prevent or reduce Risk for Infection.
- Regain or maintain the usual level of cognition.
- Homeostasis achieved.
- Causative/precipitating factors corrected/controlled.
- Complications prevented/minimized.
- Disease process/prognosis, self-care needs, and therapeutic regimen understood.
- Plan in place to meet needs after discharge.
- Restore fluid/electrolyte and acid-base balance.
- Correct/reverse metabolic abnormalities.
- Identify/assist with management of underlying cause/disease process.
- Prevent complications.
- Provide information about disease process/prognosis, self-care, and treatment needs.
The healthcare team must establish cooperation in implementing the following interventions.
- Educate about home glucose monitoring. Discuss glucose monitoring at home with the patient according to individual parameters to identify and manage glucose variations.
- Review factors in glucose instability. Review client’s common situations that contribute to glucose instability because there are multiple factors that can play a role at any time like missing meals, infection, or other illnesses.
- Encourage client to read labels. The client must choose foods described as having a low glycemic index, higher fiber, and low-fat content.
- Discuss how client’s antidiabetic medications work. Educate client on the functions of his or her medications because there are combinations of drugs that work in different ways with different blood glucose control and side effects.
- Check viability of insulin. Emphasize the importance of checking expiration dates of medications, inspecting insulin for cloudiness if it is normally clear, and monitoring proper storage and preparation because these affect insulin absorbability.
- Review type of insulin used. Note the type of insulin to be administered together with the method of delivery and time of administration. This affects timing of effects and provides clues to potential timing of glucose instability.
- Check injection sites periodically. Insulin absorption can vary day to day in healthy sites and is less absorbable in lipohypertrophic tissues.
To check if the regimen or the interventions are effective, evaluation must be done afterward.
- Evaluate client’s knowledge on factors that lead to an unstable blood glucose level.
- Evaluate the client’s level of blood glucose.
- Verbalized achievement of modifying factors that can prevent or minimize shifts in glucose level.
- Achieved timely wound healing.
- Identified interventions that can prevent or reduce risk for infection.
- Evaluate maintenance of the usual level of cognition.
Discharge and Home Care Guidelines
The responsibility of the healthcare team members does not end when the patient is discharged. The following are guidelines that should be discussed before the patient is discharged from the hospital.
- Patient empowerment is the focus of diabetes education.
- Patient education should address behavior change, self-efficacy, and health beliefs.
- Address any underlying factors that may affect diabetic control.
- Simplify the treatment regimen if it is difficult for the patient to follow.
- Adjust the treatment regimen to meet patient requests.
- Establish as specific plan or contract with the patient with simple, measurable goals.
- Provide positive reinforcement of self-care behaviors performed instead of focusing on behaviors that were neglected.
- Encourage the patient to pursue life goals and interests, and discourage an undue focus on diabetes.
- Educate client on wound care, insulin preparation, and glucose monitoring.
- Instruct client to comply with the appointment with the healthcare provider at least twice a year for ongoing evaluation and routine nutrition updates.
- Remind the patient to participate in recommended health promotion activities and age-appropriate health screenings.
- Encourage participation in support groups with patients who have had diabetes for many years as well for those who are newly diagnosed.
The following should be documented for patients with diabetes mellitus.
- Document findings related to individual situation, risk factors, current caloric intake and dietary pattern, and prescription medication use.
- Document results of laboratory tests.
- Document the teaching plan and those involved in the planning.
- Document individual responses to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
- Document specific actions and changes made.
- Document progress towards desired outcomes.
- Document modifications in the plan of care, if any.
Practice Quiz: Diabetes Mellitus
Let’s test what you’ve learned. This 5-item quiz will reinforce your knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus.
In Exam Mode: All questions are shown but the results, answers, and rationales (if any) will only be given after you’ve finished the quiz.
Practice Quiz: Diabetes Mellitus
Practice Mode: This is an interactive version of the Text Mode. All questions are given in a single page and correct answers, rationales or explanations (if any) are immediately shown after you have selected an answer. No time limit for this exam.
Practice Quiz: Diabetes Mellitus
Text Mode: All questions and answers are given on a single page for reading and answering at your own pace. Be sure to grab a pen and paper to write down your answers.
1. Ben injects his insulin as prescribed, but then gets busy and forgets to eat. What will the best assessment of the nurse reveal?
A. The client will be very thirsty.
B. The client will complain of nausea.
C. The client will need to urinate.
D. The client will have moist skin.
A. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.
B. It must be taken with meals.
C. It decreases sugar production in the liver.
D. It inhibits absorption of carbohydrates.
E. It reduces insulin resistance.
3. Nurse Andy has finished teaching a client with diabetes mellitus how to administer insulin. He evaluates the learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?
A. “I should check my blood sugar immediately prior to the administration.”
B. “I should provide direct pressure over the site following the injection.”
C. “I should use the abdominal area only for insulin injections.”
D. “I should only use calibrated insulin syringe for the injections.”
4. An older woman with diabetes mellitus visits the clinic concerning her condition. Of which of the following symptoms might an older woman with diabetes mellitus complain?
B. Pain intolerance
C. Weight loss
D. Perineal itching
5. During a visit to the hospital, the student nurses are asked which of the following persons would most likely be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. They are correct if they answered a 44-year-old:
A. Caucasian woman.
B. Asian woman.
C. African-American woman.
D. Hispanic male.
1. Answer: D. The client will have moist skin.
- Option D: Moist skin is the sign of hypoglycemia, which the client would experience if he injected himself with insulin and did not eat.
- Options A, B, C: Thirst, nausea, and increased urination are signs of hyperglycemia.
2. Answer: B, C, E
Metformin (Glucophage) reduces insulin resistance, decreases sugar production in the liver, and should be taken with meals for the best absorption and effect. It does not stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and does not inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates.
3. Answer: D. “I should only use calibrated insulin syringe for the injections.”
- Option D: To ensure the correct insulin dose, a calibrated insulin syringe must be used.
- Option C: Insulin injections should be rotated to the arm and thigh, not just the abdominal area.
- Option B: There is no need to apply direct pressure over the site following an insulin injection.
- Option A: There is no need to check blood glucose immediately prior to the injection.
4. Answer: D. Perineal itching
Older women might complain of perineal itching due to vaginal candidiasis.
5. Answer: C. African-American woman.
Age-specific prevalence of diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) is higher for African-Americans and Hispanics than for Caucasians. Among those younger than 75, black women had the highest incidence.
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- 13+ Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Care Plans
- Endocrine Medications NCLEX Practice Quiz (20 items)
- Diabetes Mellitus NCLEX Practice Quiz 1 (40 Items)
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