A nurse is educating a patient with diabetes mellitus about the chronic complications associated with the disease. What information should be included in the teaching?
Schedule and keep appointments for annual eye exams.
Ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent kidney damage.
Cardiac enzymes will be checked every 6 months.
Podiatry exams are necessary every 3 months.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Diabetes mellitus can lead to several chronic complications, including retinopathy, which can cause blindness. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, scheduling and keeping appointments for annual eye exams is an important part of managing diabetes.
Choice B rationale
While adequate fluid intake is generally important for overall health, it is not specifically effective in preventing kidney damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. Kidney damage in diabetes, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is caused by high blood sugar levels over time, not by dehydration.
Choice C rationale
Regular checks of cardiac enzymes are not a standard part of diabetes management. Cardiac enzymes are typically checked in the context of suspected heart disease or a heart attack, not as a routine measure in diabetes care.
Choice D rationale
While regular foot care is important in diabetes to prevent complications such as foot ulcers and infections, podiatry exams every 3 months are not typically necessary unless the patient has a history of foot problems or a high risk of foot complications.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Changes to achieve low HDL and high LDL levels are not recommended. In fact, the opposite is desired. High levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and low levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) are beneficial for overall health and can help prevent cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.
Choice B rationale
Self-monitoring of blood glucose is important for managing diabetes, but a fasting plasma glucose level of 118 mg/dL does not necessarily indicate the need for regular self-monitoring. This level is slightly elevated and may indicate prediabetes, but further testing would be needed for a definitive diagnosis.
Choice C rationale
Maintenance of a healthy weight is beneficial for everyone, but it’s particularly important for individuals with prediabetes or diabetes. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can help regulate blood glucose levels and prevent or delay the progression of prediabetes to diabetes.
Choice D rationale
Utilizing carbohydrate counting to match insulin intake is a strategy used in the management of diabetes. However, a fasting plasma glucose level of 118 mg/dL, while slightly elevated, does not necessarily indicate the need for insulin therapy or carbohydrate counting. Further testing would be needed to confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Wearing closed-toe shoes when walking can help protect the feet from injuries. However, it does not directly address the issue of numbness and reduced sensation due to severe peripheral neuropathy.
Choice B rationale
Soaking feet daily to remove pathogens can help maintain hygiene, but it does not directly address the issue of numbness and reduced sensation due to severe peripheral neuropathy.
Choice C rationale
Examining your feet daily is a crucial intervention for patients with severe peripheral neuropathy. Due to the numbness and reduced sensation, patients might not notice injuries or changes in their feet. Regular self-examination can help detect any abnormalities early, preventing further complications.
Choice D rationale
Using lotion on all areas of the feet for moisture can help prevent dryness and cracking of the skin, but it does not directly address the issue of numbness and reduced sensation due to severe peripheral neuropathy.
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