Nursing Case Study: Type 1 Diabetes In Nursing

Case Study

Miss Brown is a 22-year-old female that arrived at the Emergency room on Saturday February 9th, 2013. Miss Brown explains she has always been in good health but what brought her in was a wound that would not heal; she states she has had this wound for three weeks. She is also experiencing reoccurring shaking. She states within the last month she lost ten pounds. Miss Brown stands at 5’2 and currently weighs 110lbs, 50kg. Since she is active she always makes sure she keeps herself hydrated. Miss Brown does inform the staff that her mother, and her grandmother have Type 1 Diabetes. Miss Brown explains she does not smoke, and declines the use of drugs. She also states she consumes alcohol very rarely.

The registered nurse doing the assessment would perform a blood sugar test, in this case Miss Brown’s blood sugar level on admission was 403mg/dl clarifying she does have diabetes, she just got diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Anything over 120mg/dl determines diabetes, 100mg/dl-120mg/dl is considered pre-diabetic and 80mg/dl-100mg/dl is the normal range. Miss Brown’s blood pressure was 125/78 mmHg, her pulse was 87 bpm, and her respiration rate was 19 breaths per minute. During the physical exam it was clear she was healthy and alert of her surroundings. Her sodium level was 136 (normal 135-145), her potassium level was 4.1mEq/l (normal 3.5-5.0), her blood urea nitrogen level was 17mg/dl (normal 7.0-20.0), and her creatine level was 0.7mg/dl (normal 0.4-10). Lung sounds were clear and her heart rate was normal. Miss Brown’s pain was a zero on a zero-ten pain scale.

Pathophysiology

Diabetes is a disease caused by defective carbohydrate metabolism and described by large amounts of sugar in the urine and the blood. There are th...

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...onale: Administering IV fluids will replace lost fluids.

• Activity Intolerance related to physical weakness secondary to type 2 diabetes as evidence by sedentary lifestyle

• Intervention 1; Progress activity gradually

• Rationale: This will prevent overexertion on the heart while promoting short-range goals.

• Intervention 2; Explain the importance of a healthy diet, weight loss, and exercise.

• Rationale: Activity intolerance can come from obesity, losing weight through exercise could potentially decrease the need for oral antidiabetics and insulin.

• Intervention 3; Perform careful communication and positive encouragement.

• Rationale: This lets the patient know what is needed of them in a professional and respectful manner.

• Intervention 4; Provide bedside pan

• Rationale: This will reduce the use of necessary energy from going back and forth to the restroom.