University Nursing Report: Diabetes Disease Process and Management

This report provides an overview of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), focusing on its disease process, assessment, and management. The pathophysiology section explains how impaired insulin potency and insulin resistance, influenced by lifestyle factors and genetics, lead to hyperglycemia and metabolic effects. Assessments include blood glucose tests (glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting, and postprandial levels) and physical examinations, noting potential abnormalities like reduced reflexes, vision changes, and hypertension. Nursing interventions emphasize patient education on continuous glucose monitoring and lifestyle management, with a multidisciplinary approach involving nutritionists and fitness experts. The report also lists potential complications such as diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy, highlighting the importance of proactive care. References are included to support the information presented. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of T2DM, including its causes, effects, and management strategies.

Running head: DIABETES: DISEASE PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
DIABETES: DISEAS PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1DIABETES: DISEASE PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
Introduction
The following sections will briefly expound upon the disease processes, assessments and
nursing interventions for type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Discussion
Disease Pathophysiology
The metabolic condition of T2DM is largely associated with impairment in the potency
and not in the quantity of the insulin produced and is cause of increased insulin resistance and
decreased sensitivity to insulin (Zaccardi et al., 2016). Prolonged engagement in detrimental
lifestyle behaviors such as intake of a nutritionally imbalanced high fat, high sugar and high
sodium diet, coupled with occupational stress, sedentary lifestyle as well as genetic
predisposition and familial history paves the way for reduced functioning and damage to the
insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells and impairment in the hepatic secretion of glucose. This
results in failure of beta cell functioning and resultant insulin resistance at the peripheral levels
followed by lack of cellular absorption of glucose, hyperglycemia and metabolic effects of
T2DM (Rovira-Llopis et al., 2017).
Assessment
Blood glucose assessments of glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting and post prandial glucose
levels remain the first line of assessments where abnormally high levels indicate diabetes.
Physical examination constructs include: reduced leg and knee reflexes, decreased visual acuity
or cataract symptoms, high weight, waist circumference and body mass index, tachycardia and
hypertension and reduced sensation in the limbs. The patient may report bouts of dizziness and

2DIABETES: DISEASE PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
unconsciousness may occur as a result of periods of hypoglycemic shock (Rovira-Llopis et al.,
2017).
Nursing Interventions
If left uncontrolled, T2DM will aggravate to yield chronic, fatal metabolic complications
such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, delayed wound
healing, obesity, hyperlipidemia and possible cardiovascular diseases. In addition to oral
administration of oral hypoglycemic medications such as metformin, nursing interventions
would include deliverance of patient education on the importance of continuous glucose
monitoring and lifestyle management. Using multidisciplinary approaches, the nurse can
collaborate with a nutritionist and a fitness expert for exercise and dietary management of
diabetes (Cadier, Jallow Göransson and Rosengren, 2017).
Conclusion
To conclude, a multidisciplinary approach of diet and exercise interventions coupled with
nursing interventions of patient education can assist in long term management of diabetes.

3DIABETES: DISEASE PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
References
Cadier, F., Jallow Göransson, I., & Rosengren, K. (2017). Nursing students’ experiences with
type 2 diabetes in Jordan: a qualitative content analysis. Home Health Care Management
& Practice, 29(2), 103-110.
Rovira-Llopis, S., Bañuls, C., Diaz-Morales, N., Hernandez-Mijares, A., Rocha, M., & Victor,
V. M. (2017). Mitochondrial dynamics in type 2 diabetes: Pathophysiological
implications. Redox biology, 11, 637-645.
Zaccardi, F., Webb, D. R., Yates, T., & Davies, M. J. (2016). Pathophysiology of type 1 and type
2 diabetes mellitus: a 90-year perspective. Postgraduate medical journal, 92(1084), 63-
69.