Diabetes Case Study
HLTEN611B – Apply Principles of Diabetic Nursing Care
Assessment 1 – Case Study
James is 18 years of age and has just presented (with his parents) to his GP with a 2 week history of extreme fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. His random BGL is 41mmol/l and his blood ketones show 3.2mmol/l. His GP has diagnosed Type 1 diabetes with DKA and has sent him to the emergency department to see an endocrinologist at your public hospital, St Health Skills. The endocrinologist has decided on inpatient stabilisation. James has been deemed stable enough with his DKA to avoid ICU admission, but requires acute nursing care. He is severely dehydrated, his potassium and sodium levels are low and he is experiencing muscle and abdominal cramps and some problems breathing. James is conscious, anxious and angry. His parents are with him and are dazed and concerned. James has been admitted to your general medical ward and the doctor asked you to make a referral for diabetes education and dietician services but it is Saturday of a long weekend and there are none of these services in place until Tuesday.
Question 1 Define DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is caused by an extreme deficiency of insulin and presents as hyperglycaemia, ketosis, acidosis and dehydration. DKA is more likely to occur with type 1 diabetes although in times of severe illness or stress type 2 diabetics can also develop this condition. Episodes of DKA usually occur in those with illness, infection, inadequate insulin dosage, before the person is aware that they have type 1 diabetes, or poor self-care. Impending or actual DKA is a life threatening condition which results in metabolic acidosis. (Brown & Edwards, 2012)
Question 2 Explain the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes and how each is diagnosed.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin deficient) symptoms typically present in childhood/early adulthood and is essentially an autoimmune disease. The pancreas which produces insulin,
Assessment 1 – Case Study
James is 18 years of age and has just presented (with his parents) to his GP with a 2 week history of extreme fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss. His random BGL is 41mmol/l and his blood ketones show 3.2mmol/l. His GP has diagnosed Type 1 diabetes with DKA and has sent him to the emergency department to see an endocrinologist at your public hospital, St Health Skills. The endocrinologist has decided on inpatient stabilisation. James has been deemed stable enough with his DKA to avoid ICU admission, but requires acute nursing care. He is severely dehydrated, his potassium and sodium levels are low and he is experiencing muscle and abdominal cramps and some problems breathing. James is conscious, anxious and angry. His parents are with him and are dazed and concerned. James has been admitted to your general medical ward and the doctor asked you to make a referral for diabetes education and dietician services but it is Saturday of a long weekend and there are none of these services in place until Tuesday.
Question 1 Define DKA
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is caused by an extreme deficiency of insulin and presents as hyperglycaemia, ketosis, acidosis and dehydration. DKA is more likely to occur with type 1 diabetes although in times of severe illness or stress type 2 diabetics can also develop this condition. Episodes of DKA usually occur in those with illness, infection, inadequate insulin dosage, before the person is aware that they have type 1 diabetes, or poor self-care. Impending or actual DKA is a life threatening condition which results in metabolic acidosis. (Brown & Edwards, 2012)
Question 2 Explain the difference between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes and how each is diagnosed.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin deficient) symptoms typically present in childhood/early adulthood and is essentially an autoimmune disease. The pancreas which produces insulin,