Reference no: EM133852393

Topic: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Case Study:

H.C. is a 35-year-old African American woman who has a 10-year-old child. During her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Unfortunately, H.C. was unable to control her blood sugar throughout her pregnancy, but after 6 weeks, her blood sugar values were acceptable. Recently, H.C. has been complaining of fatigue and has had a chronic cold for the last 6 months. She is also complaining of numbness and tingling in her lower extremities, and has battled with weight issues since the birth of her child 10 years ago.

1. What disease might H.C. be experiencing? What would the nurse expect her laboratory values to show?

2. What assessments might the nurse encounter when examining H.C.?

3. What possible medications might the physician prescribe for H.C.?

4. What education should the nurse provide for each of the medications prescribed for H.C.? Describe the education the patient would need regarding her new diagnosis, her expected treatments, and the potential issues she may encounter re: this disease and its progression.

5. What would be most important to share with the patient about the future living with this condition? (health visits, lifestyle changes, healthy behaviors, etc.).