Question

Mrs. Brown, age 92, has been admitted to a long-term care facility. She has diabetes and swollen legs, with a broken area on one calf. She is confused at times and needs assistance with toileting, bathing and dressing. She is able to walk with assistance. Identify and explain four (4) reasons that Mrs. Brown is at risk for infection

Answer 1

Mrs. Brown is a chronic diabetic patient.

In general- deficiency of insulin or increase cellular resistance to insulin leads to hyperglycemic stage ,that is called diabetes mellitus.

✓. Long term hyperglycemia complications-

~ diabetic nephropathy

~retinopathy

~diabetic neuropathy

~cardiovascular complications

✓✓. Now according to the question-

Four reasons of increasing risk of infection in mrs brown-

1. Long term hyperglycemia→→→incomplete fat oxidation→→→acidosis→→→acidosis limits the immune activation→→→immunocompromised state which leads to opportunistic infections

2. Diabetic neuropathy→→ damage of skin and soft tissue neurones→→→ skin doesn't senses the infection→→ no immune response against microorganisms→→→ increase risk of infections

3. In diabetes→→ decrease in blood supply to the extremities→→ decrease nutritional and immune boosters supply→→ more prone to infections

4. In diabetes→→ glucose in urine (glycosuria)→→ bacterial overgrowth in urinary tract→→ risk of developing urinary tract infection (UTI)

✓In short - chronic hyperglycemia leads to immunocompromised State and then patient become at High risk of infections.