Clinical Case of Diabetes

Clinical case of diabetes 1
CLINICAL CASE OF DIABETES
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University
City and State
Date

Clinical case of diabetes 2
Interpret
Normal (subjective and objective) Abnormal (subjective and objective)
RR 20
Absence of ketones on urinalysis
Soft abdomen, No rebound tenderness on
abdominal examination
Bowel sounds present
BP 90/50
HR 120 Bpm
Temperature 37.9 degrees
BGL 34 mmol/l
SPO2 94%
Course air entry and cough
Frequent urination
Poor skin turgor
Glycosuria
Relate and infer
Mrs. Nancy is a known type 1 diabetic patient. The above abnormal data is as a result of
exacerbation of her condition. Diabetes is caused by an increase in the blood sugar levels above
normal range. The normal blood glucose range is 3.1 -7.8 mmol/l (Miller, 2015). The objective data
of Mrs. Nancy revealed that her blood glucose levels were 34mmol/l. This shows that her blood
sugar levels were quite alarming and could result into severe complications such as microvascular
damage, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state and renal failure. Given the history of the patient, the
quick escalation of blood sugar levels could be explained by the fact that she took a lot of coffee and
soft drinks that have a high sugar content. Type 1 diabetes results from inadequate and impaired
insulin production by beta cells of the pancreas (Bergenstal et al, 2016). This hormone controls
blood glucose levels and ensures glucose intake and utilization by cells and tissues. Due to intake of
these high sugar fluids, there was no insulin to induce glucose intake by cells thus resulting in a
quick escalation of the blood sugar levels. Diet and lifestyles have a major impact when it comes to

Clinical case of diabetes 3
blood sugar levels regulation in diabetic patients.
Nancy’s blood pressure level was lower than normal on measuring. The normal blood pressure
level for an average person is 120/80 mmHg. Mrs. Nancy had blood pressure levels of 90/50. This
signifies a hypotensive state as the blood pressure is lower than normal. It can be easily deduced
from this results that she had a low blood volume as blood pressure levels are important signals of
blood volume. The low blood volume state could have resulted from significant body fluid loss as
indicated by frequent urination in her clinical case. The frequent urination in diabetic states can be
attributed by significant glucose loss in the nephrons (Kostic et al, 2015). Increased glucose
elimination in the nephrons leads to increased water loss by the kidneys as well because of osmotic
gradient and force. Therefore more water loss leads to a low blood volume that is monitored by
blood pressure levels. The increased urine output and increased water loss could also account for the
patient’s poor skin turgor as it signifies dehydration. The heart rate of the patient was higher than
normal. The normal heart rate of a person is 60-100 Bpm. Because the blood volume was low, the
body adapted to these changes by an increase in the heart pumping activity (Bluestone et al, 2015).
The increased heart rate is therefore a physiological response to increase blood supply to the rest of
the body parts as the decreased blood supply to tissues might result to ischemia and necrosis. Due to
decreased blood volume, the demand for oxygen by tissues increased significantly.
Predict
Nancy’s case requires immediate attention and implementation of nursing interventions. Failure to
contain her blood glucose levels can lead to significant consequences. Since her blood glucose
levels are too high, if no action the patient might go into a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. This
state is characterized by severe dehydration due to increased osmolality, weakness, leg cramps and
vision problems (Rewers and Ludvigsson, 2016). It can result in altered consciousness and lead to a