A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who requires self-administration of subcutaneous injections at home. Which of the following statements by the client indicates correct understanding of safe sharps disposal practices?

Foot care education for clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus focuses on preventing complications such as infections, ulcers, and amputations. Diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy and poor peripheral circulation, which reduces sensation and impairs wound healing in the feet. Because minor injuries can progress quickly, daily foot inspection, proper hygiene, and protective footwear are essential. Teaching emphasizes safe self-care practices and avoidance of trauma or skin damage.

Rationale:
A. Using iodine to disinfect cuts on the feet is not recommended because it can damage healthy tissue and delay wound healing. Diabetic foot care requires gentle cleansing with mild soap and water, followed by appropriate dressing if needed. Harsh antiseptics may further impair tissue integrity and increase healing time.

B. Removing ingrown toenails at home is unsafe for clients with diabetes due to reduced sensation and poor healing capacity. Self-removal increases the risk of infection, bleeding, and tissue injury. Any nail or foot abnormalities should be managed by a healthcare professional or podiatrist.

C. Wearing clean cotton socks daily is an appropriate diabetic foot care practice. Cotton socks help absorb moisture, reduce friction, and decrease the risk of skin breakdown and fungal infections. Changing socks daily also promotes hygiene and helps maintain skin integrity in clients with reduced foot sensation.

D. Soaking feet in warm water every morning is not recommended because prolonged moisture exposure can soften the skin and increase the risk of breakdown. Additionally, clients with neuropathy may not accurately sense water temperature, increasing the risk of burns. Daily gentle washing followed by thorough drying is safer than routine soaking.

Changes in cardiovascular and fluid status require careful nursing evaluation because they may indicate worsening cardiac function and decreased tissue perfusion. Findings such as weight gain, reduced urine output, weak peripheral pulses, and pulmonary crackles suggest fluid retention and possible heart failure progression. Cardiomegaly on chest x-ray further supports impaired cardiac function. Early recognition of these abnormalities allows prompt intervention to prevent complications such as pulmonary edema or reduced organ perfusion.

Rationale:

A. Weight gain from 60 kg to 61.24 kg over 7 days indicates fluid retention rather than normal body mass increase, especially when accompanied by crackles and reduced urine output. In clients with declining cardiac function, even small weight increases can reflect significant fluid accumulation. This requires further action because it suggests worsening volume overload and possible heart failure.

B. Bilateral pedal pulses decreasing from 2+ to 1+ with cool extremities suggest reduced peripheral perfusion and decreased cardiac output. Weak pulses indicate less effective circulation to the extremities, which may occur with worsening heart failure or poor vascular perfusion. This finding requires prompt evaluation because it reflects compromised hemodynamic status.

C. Temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F) is within the normal expected range and does not indicate infection or another acute abnormality. Since there is no fever or hypothermia, this finding does not currently require additional intervention. It is considered stable compared with the more concerning cardiovascular findings.

D. Alert and oriented x3 indicates normal neurological status and appropriate cerebral perfusion. There is no evidence of confusion, altered mental status, or decreased level of consciousness. Since the client’s orientation remains unchanged, this finding does not require further action at this time.

E. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L is at the lower limit of normal but still within the expected reference range. Although monitoring is important, especially in cardiac clients, this value alone does not indicate an urgent problem requiring immediate intervention. It should be observed but is not the priority finding.

F. Chest x-ray showing cardiomegaly is an abnormal finding that suggests enlargement of the heart, commonly associated with chronic hypertension or heart failure. Combined with crackles, reduced urine output, and weight gain, this supports worsening cardiac dysfunction. This requires further action because it indicates progression of cardiovascular compromise.

G. Urine output decreasing from 520 mL/8 hr to 160 mL/8 hr indicates significantly reduced renal perfusion and possible fluid retention. Output less than 30 mL/hr is concerning for inadequate kidney perfusion or worsening heart failure. This finding requires immediate attention because it reflects declining organ function and poor circulatory status.