Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insufficient insulin production in the pancreas or when the body cannot efficiently use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the bloodstream (hyperglycemia). It is characterized by disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. Sustained hyperglycemia has been shown to affect almost all tissues in the body. It is associated with significant complications of multiple organ systems, including the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and blood vessels. Show Nursing care planning goals for patients with diabetes include effective treatment to normalize blood glucose levels and decrease complications using insulin replacement, a balanced diet, and exercise. The nurse should stress the importance of complying with the prescribed treatment program through effective patient education. Tailor your teaching to the patient’s needs, abilities, and developmental stage. Stress the effect of blood glucose control on long-term health. NOTE: This nursing care plan is recently updated with new content and a change in formatting. Nursing assessment and nursing interventions are listed in bold and then followed by their specific rationale in the next line. Still, when writing nursing care plans, follow the format here. Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose LevelThe goal of diabetes management is to normalize insulin activity and blood glucose levels to prevent or reduce the development of complications that are neuropathic and vascular in nature. Glucose control and management can dramatically reduce the development and progression of complications. Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose Level as evidenced by inadequate blood glucose monitoring, inability to follow diabetes management Risk factors
May be evidenced byA risk diagnosis is not evidenced by signs and symptoms. Interventions are directed at prevention. Desired outcomes
Nursing Assessment and Rationale1. Assess for signs of hyperglycemia. 2. Assess blood glucose levels before meals and at bedtime. 3. Monitor the patient’s HbA1c-glycosylated hemoglobin. 4. Weight daily. 5. Assess for anxiety, tremors, and slurring of speech. Treat hypoglycemia with 50% dextrose. 6. Assess feet for temperature, pulses, color, and sensation. 7. Assess bowel sounds by auscultation and note any reports of abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or vomiting. 8. Monitor urine albumin to serum creatinine for renal failure. 9. Assess the pattern of physical activity. 10. Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia. 11. Explore patient’s health beliefs about physical exercise and review exercise program recommendations with the patient. 12. Determine the blood glucose levels of the patient before exercising. 13. Assess the patient’s adeptness in self-monitoring of blood glucose. 14. Assess the patient’s current knowledge and understanding of the prescribed
diet. Nursing Interventions and Rationale1. Administer basal and prandial insulin. 2. Watch out for signs of morning hyperglycemia. 3. Teach the patient how to perform home glucose monitoring. 4. Report BP of more than 160 mm Hg (systolic). Administer hypertensive as
prescribed. 5. Instruct the patient to
avoid heating pads and always to wear shoes when walking. 6. Instruct patient to take oral hypoglycemic medications as directed:
7. Instruct patient to take insulin as directed:
8. Instruct patient on the proper injection of insulin. 9. Educate patient on the correct rotation of injection sites when administering insulin. 10. Instruct the patient on the proper storage of insulin. 11. Instruct patient that insulin vial that is in use should be kept at room temperature. 12. Stress the importance of achieving blood glucose control. 13. Explain the importance of weight loss to obese patients with diabetes. 14. Explain the importance of having consistent meal content or timing. 15. Refer the patient to support groups, diet, and
nutrition education, and counseling. 16. Educate the patient on maintaining consistency in food and the approximate time intervals between meals. 17. Educate the patient about the health benefits and importance of exercise in the management of diabetes. 18. Review exercise
precautions for patients taking insulin. 19. Provide instructions to patients using self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG). 20. Observe and review the patient’s technique in self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG). 21. For patients using insulin pumps, educate the patient on the importance of maintaining its patency. Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources. Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy. References and recommended sources to further your reading about this care plan guide for Diabetes Mellitus: Is hyperglycemia a nursing diagnosis?Hyperglycemia Nursing Care Plans Diagnosis and Interventions
If left untreated, it can progress to chronic hyperglycemia which can lead to serious health consequences needing emergency medical care, such as a diabetic induced coma.
What nursing diagnosis is appropriate for diabetes mellitus?Some nursing diagnoses which might be appropriate for patients with a medical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus include impaired skin integrity if a superficial rash is present, impaired tissue integrity if a wound is present, deficient knowledge, imbalanced nutrition, and ineffective health maintenance.
What are the priority interventions included in the nursing management of hyperglycemia?Nursing Interventions and Rationale. Administer basal and prandial insulin. ... . Watch out for signs of morning hyperglycemia. ... . Teach the patient how to perform home glucose monitoring. ... . Report BP of more than 160 mm Hg (systolic). ... . Instruct the patient to avoid heating pads and always to wear shoes when walking.. What are the nursing interventions of diabetes mellitus?Nursing Interventions. Educate about home glucose monitoring. ... . Review factors in glucose instability. ... . Encourage client to read labels. ... . Discuss how client's antidiabetic medications work. ... . Check viability of insulin. ... . Review type of insulin used. ... . Check injection sites periodically.. |