Introduction
The purpose of this document is to review the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to prevent complications of the current disease, which is a priority conceptual topic. At the same time, this paper aims to address solutions to a weak area that requires more attention in preparation for NCLEX. The chosen theme of the priority concept is aimed at promoting and maintaining health, which is one of the main categories of NCLEX-RN.
In this case, I should primarily focus on ways to prevent type 2 diabetes by reducing the risk of complications. It includes normalizing and maintaining normal blood sugar levels, which can be achieved while promoting and maintaining health. As a nurse practitioner, with this paper, I will explain why people with type 2 diabetes need help to identify their target condition and discover the body’s basic needs and strengths to prevent complications. Given the specific category of NCLEX, it is also essential to support patients on their path to total health and well-being (NCLEX, n.d.). Therefore, the purpose of this document is to reduce the patient’s potential risk as well as to manage health changes.
Importance
Currently, DM has acquired a mass and uncontrolled character, and it is prone to a severe complicated course and leaves behind many unresolved issues of timely diagnosis and, accordingly, treatment. Knowledge of this pathology’s pathogenesis, course, control, and prevention is especially relevant for professional practice. Although the elimination of insufficient physical activity or a change in diet is not a priority for the medical officer, it is the duty to eliminate the risks (Naude et al., 2022). In this regard, nurses need to raise awareness among both their patients and colleagues about ways to prevent complications.
The urgency of the problem of diabetes mellitus worldwide is due to the high prevalence of the disease. According to WHO, the incidence of diabetes mellitus by 2025 will be more than 500 million people, indicating that diabetes mellitus is a severe medical and social problem worldwide (Diabetes, 2022). Diabetes mellitus is dangerous for its late complications, leading to disability and shortening life. As diabetes progresses, it can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, leading to chronic problems and premature death (Type 2 diabetes, 2020). Prevention of complications of diabetes can improve the quality of life of patients and prevent other possible diseases (Kelsey et al., 2022).
Properly motivated patients can strengthen and maintain their health even with chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The presence of type 2 diabetes in a patient entails a decrease in the quality of life. In addition, the prevalence of DM increases the burden on the healthcare system and medical staff (Nazir et al., 2018). Being under stress can reduce the quality of services provided, which will negatively affect not only patients but also professionals.
Groups of Patients at Risk
There are risk factors for developing diabetes: hereditary predisposition, obesity, and old age. The causes of the development of this disease can also serve as an infectious disease, stress, or traumatic injury (McIntyre et al., 2019). The interaction of genetic and metabolic factors determines the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (McIntyre et al., 2019). Ethnicity, family history of diabetes, and gestational diabetes, along with older age, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Health Resources
The public health nurse encourages patients by taking the initiative to prevent the causes of diabetes at different stages, including the primary, secondary, and tertiary phases. In primary prevention, the public health nurse disseminates knowledge and steps on how to prevent diabetes in the very preliminary stage and how to prevent risk factors for diabetes and its complications before the second phase occurs.
However, secondary prevention methods aim to detect and avoid the slow progression of diabetes. Diabetes screening and daily monitoring of glucose levels can be used as secondary prevention (Type 2 diabetes, 2020). The tertiary phase is the third step in diabetes prevention and is usually done after the onset of diabetes. At this stage, nurses promote information about the measures to control diabetes, namely diet, exercise, medication, and care.
Healthcare Disparities, Inequalities, and Interventions
Inequality in access to health care is seen across the spectrum of health services, including diabetes. Those most in need are reported to be the least likely to receive medical care, a phenomenon known as Hart’s inverse law (Barnard-Kelly & Chernavvsky, 2020). To a greater extent, this applies to different socio-economic statuses when people cannot afford to undergo regular examinations and screenings. Studies show a significant gap in the prevalence of T2DM across deprivation quintiles, with low-income individuals being 77% more likely to develop T2DM (Barnard-Kelly & Chernavvsky, 2020). In this regard, solutions to reduce disparities in health care, aimed at increasing access to health services by different sections of society, are essential.
The plan should support medical students and active professionals and provide access to technology for underserved areas with financial support. Increasing convenience and access to technology, including support for healthcare professionals, will increase the ability of patients to promote and maintain health conditions (Barnard-Kelly & Chernavvsky, 2020). That will provide healthcare with the opportunity to reduce not only the complications of diabetes but also increase its prevention. It can be done through patient education, which will also increase people’s awareness of the risks of diabetes. In addition, information about diabetes can prevent an increase in the incidence of complications and its general spread.
Legal and Ethical Considerations and Intervention Challenges
An important question is the necessity, expediency, and possibility of prevention. Practitioners often face an ethical dilemma rooted in economics. Without touching on the cost of screening and honest prevention issues, it must be remembered that several multicenter placebo-controlled studies are currently underway to study the possibility of preventing DM (Sharma et al., 2020). To resolve this dilemma, nurse practitioners can base their work on four ethical principles. It will not only avoid ethical issues but also ensure that the nurse is providing the best possible care to patients.
A legal dilemma can be caused by the practice of a nurse who deviates from their direct duties as a practicing professional. For this, the nurse must provide services only following their practice. That is, the nurse cannot perform any intervention that is not within their competence. Possible problems hindering the successful management of type 2 diabetes may be nursing care that is not within the standards or their competencies.
In addition, poor communication with the patient and/or family can interfere with successful problem-solving. That is primarily due to the fact that it will limit the understanding of patients of possible risks and will not provide the necessary motivation for the secondary prevention of DM.
Participants and Interdisciplinary Approach
The parties that will be involved in ensuring the promotion and maintenance of health in patients with T2DM to prevent complications will be determined depending on the patient’s general condition and possible risks. The attending physician may be a participant and will prescribe drug therapy if necessary (Xiang et al., 2018). The nurse practitioner has a special place among the participants, as she will help the patient receive essential information about preventive measures to prevent complications of diabetes. Interdisciplinary participants may be physical therapists or occupational therapists. Lifestyle change programs that include diet therapy, exercise, or psychological aspects effectively reduce body weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Quality Improvement
Monthly examinations help to identify complications of diabetes in the early stages to prevent their further progression. A patient with diabetes mellitus should follow the doctor’s instructions and be familiar with the main signs of DM to direct efforts to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of complications. Controlling type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of existing disease-related complications also has several benefits for professional practice.
First of all, this reduces the burden on the healthcare system and allows nurses and other medical professionals to provide high-quality services. A set of secondary prevention measures, namely, regular screening, will help improve patient outcomes, as it will be aimed precisely at a particular patient’s problems. Systematic training will enhance the level of professional clinical practice (Konttila et al., 2018). Spreading awareness about T2DM issues among patients and nurses is a vital resource.
Conclusion
Diabetes mellitus today is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is an urgent medical and social problem. DM can have many health and sometimes life-threatening implications for the patient. Hence, managing type 2 diabetes to prevent complications of the current disease is essential for both patients and professional practice.
To date, the most effective secondary prevention of DM is regular screening and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Conducting a comprehensive screening examination makes it possible to identify endocrine pathology in order to complete timely and effective therapeutic and preventive measures and prevent potential complications. Considering the topic raised in the paper will improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the burden on the medical staff.
References
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