Diabetes A Silent Killer - 1698 Words

â€Å"Diabetes is a silent killer† (Demille 2005, p.5). It is a metabolic disorder that can result in impaired quality of life and serious complications. This study aims to understand the case of Mr. Skyler Hanson who is newly diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 that leads to diabetic ketoacidosis which was confirmed by the presence of moderate to high ketones in the urine and a high blood glucose level. It was noted that he has a history of fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and frequent urination. Furthermore, it was disclosed that he has difficulty in adjusting to his diagnosis and he occasionally missed administration of insulin dose when socialising. Subsequently, he was admitted in the Critical Care Unit for rehydration,†¦show more content†¦541). Interventions should be rendered continuously, promptly and appropriately as it can cause life-threatening complications (Holt 2009, p. 26). Apparently, the patient is stable, but continuous assessment and m anagement should be done to avoid recurrences of untoward signs andsymptoms and prevent potential complications. Firstly, continuous assessment and vital signs should be done and these include blood pressure, cardiac rate, respiration, venous distention and skin turgor to assess possible occurrence of fluid overload as a result of rapid administration of large fluid that is often needed to treat the patient with DKA (Smeltzer Bare 2004 p. 1185). Aside from this, documentation of fluid intake and output should be monitored and documented to assess for circulatory overload and renal function (Holt 2009, p. 61). Significantly, it is integral in the provision of continuous care that nurses reassess the factors that may have contribute or led to DKA, and educate the patient and his family about strategies to prevent its recurrences (Smeltzer Bare 2004 p. 1186; Lemone, Burke Bauldoff 2011, p. 551). In addition, controlling of blood glucose level is necessary for Mr. Skyler. Nurses must monitor the blood glucose level and determine hyperglycaemia which is blood glucose level of more than or equal to 15 mmol/L and