skin breakdown
Diseases Process
Instructed patient about the most common types of infection in diabetic patients, for example: skin, subcutaneous tissue, and renal and pulmonary infections.
Instructed patient about the appropriate measures to prevent foot problems, such as: always wear properly fitted shoes and examine feet every day for sores and signs of infections. Check for blisters, cuts, sores and/or cracked skin. Check for pebbles, rough seams or anything else that might irritate your foot. Patient verbalized understanding.
Instructed patient to keep feet dry, especially between toes, to use lotion to keep skin soft and moist and to keep feet clean. Wash daily with lukewarm water.
Instructed patient about the management of infections: bathing everyday with a mild soap and lukewarm water, applying lotion to keep skin moist, wearing gloves when working outside, always wearing shoes and treating injuries promptly by cleaning with soap and water.
Instructed patient on possible adverse reactions to insulin, which include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and skin rash and local reaction at injection site.
Instructed patient on how to recognize S/S low blood sugar, such as, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, tremors, paleness, moist skin, hunger, anxiety, and impared vision.
Patient was instructed on another leading type of chronic wounds is pressure ulcers. That occurs when pressure on the tissue is grater than the pressure in capillaries, and thus restricts blood flow into the area. Muscle tissues, which needs more oxygen and nutrients than skin does, show the worst effects from prolonged pressure. As in other chronic ulcers, reperfusion injury damage tissue.
Patient was instructed on what to avoid in presence of ulcers. Friction and shear need to be reduced. Friction is the mechanical force exerted when skin is dragged against a coarse surface while shear is the mechanical force caused by the interplay of gravity and friction.
Patient was instructed on the optimization of wound environment. Adequate nutrition and hydration, remove nonviable tissue, maintain moisture balance, protect the wound and peri-wound skin, eliminate or minimize pain, cleanse, prevent and manage infection, control odor.
Patient was instructed on adequate nutrition and hydration to minimize wound development. Encourage protein, calorie-dense foods and fluids (unless contraindicated), monitor intake, weight and skin turgor, assess and address impairments in dentition and swallowing.