Diabetic Case Study
Diabetic Case Study
Jill Davis
University of Phoenix
Amanda Brooks, FNP-BC
October 5, 2009
Diabetic Case Study In this case study, we are presented with a man who has Type II diabetes signs and symptoms. He has recently gone through several psycho-social adjustments and is a busy professional man. A plan needs to be developed to assess, teach, and evaluate the patient’s health care needs by covering topics such as incidence, signs and symptoms, potential effects of the disease, educational needs, and challenges presented by diabetes.
The Incidence of Diabetes in the United States Diabetes is a broad term covering three distinct types of this disease: Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that has two categories type I and type II, Diabetes insipidus, and Gestational Diabetes. Charles has found himself in the rising population of persons affected by this disease. “Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States” (CDC, 2008, ¶ 1). Even though the number of people now affected by diabetes has risen, the number of people unaware of their condition has decreased.
The Typical Presenting Signs of Diabetes
Often, the first signs of type II diabetes are nonspecific and occur so slowly that the person does not realize the symptoms of the disease. “Some of the most common manifestations associated with type II diabetes include: fatigue, recurrent infections, prolonged wound healing and visual changes” (Lewis, Heitkemper, & Dirksen, 2004, p. 1272). Fatigue happens because of the present difficulty of the body to obtain energy from glucose. Recurrent infections and prolong wound healing are signs of elevated glucose circulating in the system. The symptoms presented by Charles are more severe. The weight loss is a sign that the body cannot absorb glucose because of insufficient insulin or receptor sites on the cells. Instead, the body is using fat and protein reserves for energy. Another common sign is excessive urination (polyuria), which
Jill Davis
University of Phoenix
Amanda Brooks, FNP-BC
October 5, 2009
Diabetic Case Study In this case study, we are presented with a man who has Type II diabetes signs and symptoms. He has recently gone through several psycho-social adjustments and is a busy professional man. A plan needs to be developed to assess, teach, and evaluate the patient’s health care needs by covering topics such as incidence, signs and symptoms, potential effects of the disease, educational needs, and challenges presented by diabetes.
The Incidence of Diabetes in the United States Diabetes is a broad term covering three distinct types of this disease: Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that has two categories type I and type II, Diabetes insipidus, and Gestational Diabetes. Charles has found himself in the rising population of persons affected by this disease. “Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States” (CDC, 2008, ¶ 1). Even though the number of people now affected by diabetes has risen, the number of people unaware of their condition has decreased.
The Typical Presenting Signs of Diabetes
Often, the first signs of type II diabetes are nonspecific and occur so slowly that the person does not realize the symptoms of the disease. “Some of the most common manifestations associated with type II diabetes include: fatigue, recurrent infections, prolonged wound healing and visual changes” (Lewis, Heitkemper, & Dirksen, 2004, p. 1272). Fatigue happens because of the present difficulty of the body to obtain energy from glucose. Recurrent infections and prolong wound healing are signs of elevated glucose circulating in the system. The symptoms presented by Charles are more severe. The weight loss is a sign that the body cannot absorb glucose because of insufficient insulin or receptor sites on the cells. Instead, the body is using fat and protein reserves for energy. Another common sign is excessive urination (polyuria), which
References: American Diabetes Association (ADA). (2009). Type 2 Diabetes Complications. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/complications.jsp. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). (2008). Number of people with diabetes increases to 24 million in the USA. Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 62(6), 255-256. Retrieved October 1, 2009, from EBSCOhost database. Hill-Briggs, F. (2003). Problem solving in diabetes self-management: A model of chronic illness self management behavior. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 25(3), 182. Retrieved October 1, 2009 from eBook Collection. UOPX Lewis, S.M., Heitkemper, M.M., & Dirksen, S.R. (2004). Medical surgical nursing: Assessment and management of clinical problems (6th ed.). United Sates: Mosby. Redman, B. (2007). The Practice of Patient Education: A Case Study Approach (10th ed.). p. 62. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Retrieved October 1, 2009 from eBook Collection. UOPX3