Posted: July 23rd, 2023

Comprehensive Nursing Case Study: Management of a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In order to write a case study paper, you must carefully address a number of sections in a specific order with specific information contained in each. The guideline below outlines each of those sections.

Section

Information to Include

Introduction (patient and problem)

Explain who the patient is (Age, gender, etc.)
Explain what the problem is (What were they diagnosed with, or what happened?)
Introduce your main argument (What should you as a nurse focus on or do?)
Pathophysiology

Explain the disease (What are the symptoms? What causes it?)
History

Explain what health problems the patient has (Have they been diagnosed with other diseases?)
Detail any and all previous treatments (Have they had any prior surgeries or are they on medication?)
Nursing Physical Assessment

List all the patient’s health stats in sentences with specific numbers/levels (Blood pressure, bowel sounds, ambulation, etc.)
Related Treatments

Explain what treatments the patient is receiving because of their disease
Nursing Diagnosis & Patient Goal

Explain what your nursing diagnosis is (What is the main problem for this patient? What need to be addressed?)
Explain what your goal is for helping the patient recover (What do you want to change for the patient?)
Nursing Interventions

Explain how you will accomplish your nursing goals, and support this with citations (Reference the literature)
Assessment

Explain how effective the nursing intervention was (What happened after your nursing intervention? Did the patient get better?)
Recommendations

Explain what the patient or nurse should do in the future to continue recovery/improvement
Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length and will be graded on how well you complete each of the above sections. You will also be graded on your use of APA Style and on your application of nursing journals into the treatments and interventions. For integrating nursing journals, remember the following:

Make sure to integrate citations into all of your paper
Support all claims of what the disease is, why it occurs and how to treat it with references to the literature on this disease
Always use citations for information that you learned from a book or article; if you do not cite it, you are telling your reader that YOU discovered that information (how to treat the disease, etc.)

Comprehensive Nursing Case Study: Management of a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction (Patient and Problem):
In this case study, we will explore the care of a 54-year-old female patient, Mrs. Johnson, who was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Mrs. Johnson presents with complaints of polyuria, polydipsia, and unexplained weight loss over the past few months. As a nurse, it is essential to focus on providing patient-centered care, addressing her specific health needs, and promoting effective diabetes management to enhance her overall well-being.

Pathophysiology:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is primarily a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and obesity. The symptoms of T2DM include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and unintended weight loss. The underlying cause of these symptoms is the inadequate uptake of glucose by cells, leading to hyperglycemia. Over time, this persistent high blood glucose level can result in long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system.

History:
Apart from T2DM, Mrs. Johnson has a medical history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, both of which are common comorbidities in patients with diabetes. She has been prescribed antihypertensive medications and lipid-lowering agents to manage these conditions effectively. Furthermore, she underwent a cholecystectomy three years ago to treat gallstone-related complications.

Nursing Physical Assessment:
Upon conducting a comprehensive physical assessment, the nurse notes the following health statistics:

Blood Pressure: 130/80 mmHg
Blood Glucose Level: Fasting 160 mg/dL, Postprandial 210 mg/dL
Body Mass Index (BMI): 32.5 (indicating obesity)
Bowel Sounds: Normoactive
Peripheral Neuropathy: Absent
Ambulation: Limited to short distances due to diabetic neuropathy
Related Treatments:
To manage her T2DM, Mrs. Johnson is receiving a multifaceted treatment approach. She is advised to adopt a balanced and nutritious diet, emphasizing portion control and the avoidance of sugary and processed foods. Additionally, regular physical activity is encouraged to improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss. The patient has been prescribed oral antidiabetic medications to enhance glucose uptake and reduce insulin resistance.

Nursing Diagnosis & Patient Goal:
The primary nursing diagnosis for Mrs. Johnson is “ineffective self-health management related to insufficient knowledge of diabetes management.” The main goal is to improve Mrs. Johnson’s understanding of diabetes self-management, including proper diet, exercise, medication adherence, and blood glucose monitoring.

Nursing Interventions:
To achieve the patient’s goal, the nurse will employ various interventions. Firstly, providing structured education on diabetes self-management will empower Mrs. Johnson to make informed decisions regarding her health. Utilizing visual aids and interactive learning tools, the nurse will explain the importance of diet control, the significance of regular physical activity, and the necessity of adhering to medication regimens. The nurse will cite relevant literature, such as the American Diabetes Association guidelines, to support evidence-based interventions.

Assessment:
After implementing the nursing interventions for six weeks, the nurse observed a positive change in Mrs. Johnson’s self-health management. Her blood glucose levels have shown a gradual decline, with fasting levels stabilizing around 110 mg/dL and postprandial levels averaging 160 mg/dL. Furthermore, her BMI reduced to 29.2, indicating successful weight management.

Recommendations:
To continue her recovery and maintain optimal health, Mrs. Johnson should sustain the lifestyle changes initiated during the intervention period. Regular follow-up appointments with the healthcare team will allow for ongoing monitoring of her blood glucose levels and overall health status. The patient should also be encouraged to engage in support groups or diabetes education programs to foster a sense of community and improve self-management skills further.

Conclusion:
The case study of Mrs. Johnson with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus highlights the importance of patient-centered care and evidence-based nursing interventions in managing chronic conditions. By providing tailored education, support, and continuous monitoring, nurses play a pivotal role in empowering patients to take control of their health and improve their quality of life.

References:

American Diabetes Association. (2019). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2019. Diabetes Care, 42(Supplement 1), S1-S193.

Funnell, M. M., Brown, T. L., Childs, B. P., Haas, L. B., Hosey, G. M., Jensen, B., … & Weiss, M. A. (2016). National standards for diabetes self-management education and support. Diabetes Care, 39(Supplement 1), S100-S107.

Kaveeshwar, S. A., & Cornwall, J. (2014). The current state of diabetes mellitus in India. Australasian Medical Journal, 7(1), 45-48.

Powers, M. A., Bardsley, J., Cypress, M., Duker, P., Funnell, M. M., Fischl, A. H., … & Vivian, E. (2015). Diabetes self-management education and support in type 2 diabetes: A joint position statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Diabetes Educator, 41(4), 417-430.

Order | Check Discount

Tags: Comprehensive Nursing Case Study: Management of a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus