According to (National Patient Safety Goals, 2022) goal number three is to improve the safety of using
medications by maintaining accurate patient medication information. Since Millie has a history of
Diabetes Mellitus type 1, during the assessment portion of the nursing process, the nurse should have
evaluated her previous diagnosis and asked the patient how her diabetes was being managed before
coming to the hospital (Karch, 2019).
Looking through Millie's earlier illnesses and hospitalizations would have alerted the nurse to her prior
prescriptions since she couldn't recall all of her meds. (Karch, 2019). The nurse needs to have compared
Millie's electronic health record to her previous hospital stays, her family, and any other relevant
information. With advancements in technology, it should be simpler to guarantee that the patient
receives the necessary medication. (Taylor et al., 2019). Since the majority of the systems between
hospitals and doctors' offices are linked, the patient's meds should always be current across all systems.
Managing her diabetes should have been one of her nursing interventions. (Taylor et al., 2019). This
would have required routinely checking her blood sugar levels and giving her the prescribed medicine.
Keep an eye out for hyperglycemia's symptoms and indicators. Fatigue, frequent urination, restlessness,
increased hunger, nausea, and fruity-smelling breath are all symptoms of hyperglycemia. (Karch, 2019).
These indications would let you know that she needs medicine to lower her blood sugar since it is too
high.
Promotes tissue perfusion when basal and prandial insulin are administered in accordance with the
treatment regimen. Microvascular disease progresses more slowly when glucose levels are kept within
normal bounds.
Keep an eye out for hypoglycemia's symptoms and indicators. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include
weakness, sleepiness, hunger, anxiety, tremor, clammy skin, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures or
diabetic coma. (Karch, 2019). These indications would let you know that her blood glucose level is too
low and that the nurse should give her something to raise it.
The nurse needs to be on the lookout for morning hyperglycemia symptoms. Morning hyperglycemia, as
the name suggests, is an increased blood glucose level that develops in the morning as a result of
inadequate insulin. The dawn phenomena, insulin fading, and the Somogyi effect are some of the
causes. The dawn phenomenon is characterized by normal blood glucose levels until three in the
morning, at which point levels start to climb. (Nocturnal hypoglycemia then rebound hyperglycemia).
Teach the patient how to monitor their blood sugar at home. Before meals and before going to bed,
blood glucose is checked. Insulin dosages are modified using glucose readings.
Report a BP reading of over 160 mm Hg. (systolic). provide hypertensive medication as directed.
Diabetes and hypertension frequently go hand in hand. Coronary artery disease, stroke, retinopathy,
and nephropathy are all prevented by blood pressure control.
Tell the patient to stay away from heating pads and to always wear shoes while they are out and about.
Peripheral neuropathy causes patients to feel less in their extremities.
Give the patient instructions on how to take oral hypoglycemic medications correctly. Instruct patient on
the proper injection of insulin.
