Question

Searches related to Ms. Jackson is a 51-year-old African-American patient who has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. While the nurse is providing patient teaching about foot care, Ms. Jackson questions why she should be concerned about her feet, and how this relates to type 2 diabetes mellitus. 1. What point should the nurse focus on regarding the importance of foot care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus? After 6 months, Ms. Jackson has routine laboratory testing performed. Her glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is 6.0%. 2. What implications does this result have, and what further teaching by the nurse is appropriate?

Answer 1

1. Prolonged high blood sugar level in Type 2 Diabetes, may lead to a complication known peripheral neuropathy. In this condition, the person cannot identify any sensations(Pain, heat, cold, etc) in that area. It usually effect on foot, thus the person is vulnerable for injury and unable to identify it. Left untreated your feet could become infected, which could lead to gangrene and amputation. It is estimated that 85 percent of the amputations resulting from diabetes could have been prevented with proper, daily foot care.

To prevent this complication, a diabetes person should do regular foot care. So the nurse should focus on the following things when caring for a person with type 2 diabetes

1. Check Your Feet Every Day

Give them a close inspection in the morning before you put socks and shoes on. Look closely at any possible wear spots like the backs of heels and sides of feet. Carefully check between your toes and the entire bottom surface of feet. If it's difficult for you to see the bottom of your feet, advise the patient to use a mirror or have a family member check them.

2. Clean Feet Are Happy Feet

Make sure to wash feet daily with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. A daily cleaning can help you detect trouble spots before they turn serious. Keeping feet clean will wash away any small irritants or debris that might have been picked up on the soles of feet. It's not recommended to soak feet, however. Soaking can cause the skin to become fragile and prone to injury. It's okay to use lotions on feet if the skin is dry, but don't use them between toes. Lotion sitting on the skin for prolonged periods can cause the integrity of the skin to be compromised.

3. Wear Soft Socks and Shoes That Fit

Make sure that use cushiony socks and well-fitting shoes with good support. Shoes that are too big or too tight can cause problems. Feet can rub against ill-fitting shoes, causing sores. When exercising, make sure that sneakers fit properly and wear white, absorbent socks. Never go barefoot

4. Good Diabetes Management Can Keep Feet Healthy

The best way to take care of feet is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Prolonged high blood glucose levels increase your risk of complications because nerves and blood vessels in lower legs and feet are damaged when blood sugar is high. Test blood glucose often, administer prescribed medications and follow the eating plan to help keep feet healthy

2. HbA1C value 6% indicate that blood sugar value for the last 3 months are under control. The well-controlled blood sugar value should be within the range of 4% to 6%. The HbA1C of Ms. Jackson is 6%, not needed any additional change in the treatment. But Ms. Jackson should continue the treatment regimen as same and should keep an eye on blood sugar level because it reached the upper border of the normal range.