Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels, that result from defects in insulin secretion, or action, or both. Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes (as it will be in this article) was first identified as a disease associated with "sweet urine," and excessive muscle loss in the ancient world. Elevated levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia) lead to spillage of glucose into the urine, hence the term sweet urine.
Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level. When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, meaning that although it can be controlled, it lasts a lifetime.
Nursing Diagnosis for Diabetes Mellitus
- Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity related to elevated levels of blood sugar
- Impaired Physical Mobility related to pain in the leg wound
- Chronic pain related to ischemic tissue
- Imbalanced Nutrition : Less Than Body Requirements related to the lack of food intake
- Potential occurrence of spread of infection: sepsis related to high blood sugar levels.
- Disturbed Sleep pattern related to pain in the wound in the leg
- Impaired physical mobilization associated with weakness of limbs
- Knowledge Deficit : about the disease process, diet, care, and treatment related to a lack of information
- Anxiety related to lack of knowledge about the disease.
Nursing Diagnosis for Diabetes Mellitus