Mrs. Brown’s Case Study: Understanding Diabetes Mellitus, DKA, and HHS

Running head: MRS. BROWN’S CASE STUDY 1
Mrs. Brown’s Case Study
Student’s Name
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MRS. BROWN’S CASE STUDY 2
Mrs. Brown’s Case Study
1. Define diabetes mellitus (DM)? (2 points)
Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a chronic disease which arises when either the
pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body fails to make an effective
use of the insulin that it produces.
2. What are the four (4) types of DM? Describe each one. (8 points)
a) Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas produces no insulin or little
insulin.
b) Type 2 diabetes
It refers a progressive condition where body slowly becomes unable to produce
sufficient insulin in the pancreas (Mellitus, 2011) and/or turn out to be resistant or
resilient to the normal effect of insulin.
c) Gestational diabetes
This develops or occurs during pregnancy. It means one has high blood sugar level.
d) Juvenile diabetes
It is mediated by immunity and managed via the administration of insulin. It occurs
mainly in children.
3. Define diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (2 points). List four (4) primary
characteristics. (4 points)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) refers to chronic complication of diabetes which happens
when the body secretes or produces higher levels of blood acid referred to as ketones.
Four primary characteristics –

MRS. BROWN’S CASE STUDY 3
a) Electrolyte imbalance
b) Dehydration
c) Hyperglycemia
d) Acidosis and ketosis
4. Define Hyperglycemic-Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS) (2 points)
It refers to a diabetes mellitus complication where high blood sugar leads to high
osmorality with no ketoacidosis.
5. List four (4) precipitating factors for DKA. (4 points)
a) Infection
b) Non-compliance to treatment
c) Comorbid conditions, for example, pancreatitis and stroke
d) Insufficient insulin therapy
Answer questions 6 – 9 based on Mrs. Brown’s physical presentation (3 points
each):
6. List three (3) general findings of DKA?
a) Poor Skin turgor
b) Dry mucous membranes
c) Sunken eye balls
7. List Three (3) risk factors for the development of DKA?
a) Old age
b) Physical Inactivity
c) Type 1 diabetes and non-compliance to medication