blood sugar
Diabetes
Instructed patient on how to properly use testing strips: wash hands with lukewarm water and mild soap, stick side of finger (not the tip), dry finger well before procedure, change fingers every test, and use the thinnest lancet, as that will give you the best drop of blood.
Instructed patient to maintain a diabetic record of blood sugars and any adverse reactions. Records should include date, time, and any other pertinent information.
Instructed patient on insulin. It is widely used to decrease blood glucose levels by replacing insulin not produced by the pancreas.
Instructed patient on possible causes of high blood sugars such as: excess food, insufficient insulin, and lack of exercise, stress, infection or fever.
Patient was instructed on the signs and symptoms of hypotension that may happen in a few seconds or minutes of standing up after been sitting or lying down. It feel like fainting. Signs include: dizziness, blurry vision, confusion, weakness and nausea. Those symptoms go away if sitting or lying down for few minutes until the blood pressure adjusts to normal.
Patient was instructed on peripheral arterial disease that is a hardening of the arteries that prevents proper blood flow. The improper flow is one of the risk factors for foot ulcers, which can lead to amputation.
Patient was instructed on complications of diabetes such as heart disease. People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and complications related to poor circulation.
Patient was instructed on complications of diabetes such as nerve damage. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that run throughout the body, connecting the spinal cord to muscles, skin, blood vessels and other organs.
Patient was instructed on foot complications. People with diabetes can develop many different foot problems. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage in the feet or when blood flow is poor. The protection of the feet is very important.
Patient was instructed on cardiovascular complications. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) can cause arteries to narrow and/or lose elasticity causing Atherosclerosis (CAD) where blockage occurs in the arteries that go to the heart.