An explanation of the Concept of My Plate My Plate for Diabetic Patient
It is estimated that there are currently millions of people worldwide living with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that can have severe complications if not managed properly (Perry et al., n.d.). Three main concepts are involved in providing care to patients with diabetes: the diabetes health eating plan, the insulin pump, and the blood sugar meter (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). Developing and implementing a heathy eating plan grants individuals identified to have with diabetes an opportunity to ration their food intake. The insulin pump is a device that allows insulin delivery to the body while blood sugar meter measures patient’s levels of blood sugar.
The diabetec plate is divided into three sections: the carbohydrate section, the protein section, and the fat section. The patient should eat the appropriate amount of food from each section based on their blood sugar levels (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). The carbohydrate section contains foods including bread, rice, and pasta that will raise blood sugar levels, hence, it is essentital to eat the right amount of carbohydrates based on the current patient’s diagnosis. The protein section is composed of a meal that adheres to the right amount of protein to maintain the levels of blood sugar. Foods in the fat section lower blood sugar levels, which promote eating the right amount of fat. Overall, proper patient care is essential to prevent complications and improve the quality of life of people with diabetes.
Nursing assessment for My Plate for Diabetic Patient
Assessment is an essential first step in the nursing process. Fundamentally, it allows nurses to gather information about patients to develop individualized care plans. When assessing a patient with diabetes, nurses must consider the various aspects of the disease, including its symptoms, treatments, and complications (Perry et al., n.d.). By doing so, nurses can identify any problems the patient may be experiencing and develop a plan of care to address those issues (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). In this scenario, signs of diabetes can vary depending on the individual, but some common ones include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. These symptoms can be caused by high blood sugar levels, which can damage the body over time. In essence, various challenges have been associated with diabetes including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision problems. These threats can be severe and even life-threatening. For this reason, the patient needs to make lifestyle changes to improve her long-term health.
For effective responses to the above mentioned diabetes triggered problems, the patient is recommended to have a treatment regimen that will incorporate a new diet plan. The patient must avoid sugary foods, drinks, and fried foods (Perry et al., n.d.). Notably, the patient’s diet plan should include eating three meals per day and limiting intake of carbohydrates. For every meal, half of the plate should be filled with non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or salad. One-quarter of the plate should be filled with lean protein, such as grilled chicken or fish. The final quarter of the plate should be filled with a whole grain, such as brown rice or quinoa. The patient should include a small amount of fat, such as olive oil or avocado, and a small amount of fruit with each meal. The patient must stick to the diet plan and take insulin injections on time.
Patient Problems
The section explores the nursing judgement related to the patient’s long-standing history of diabetes and its associated complications. The first nursing examination of the patient’s condition should prioritize on ineffective tissue perfusion, since diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, the disease can lead to poor circulation and reduced oxygenation of the tissues (Perry et al., n.d.). Consequently, this can lead to various problems, such as wound healing and an increased risk of infection. In addition, the second nursing diagnosis that health care services providers would consider is the risk for disease. The recognition is significant since diabetes can lower the body’s ability to fight infection considering that wounds and ulcers are more common in people with diabetes. Infections can cause severe problems in people with diabetes, thus, it is essential to develop effective approaches to prevent them.
The third interpreatation related to the patient’s condition is impaired wound healing. This is because diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, leading to poor circulation and reduced oxygenation of the tissues (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). As a result, patient may have difficulties when healing the wounds. Moreover, nurses can scrutinize the patient’s pain since diabetes can cause damage to the nerves, which can lead to pain in the extremities (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). Pain can be caused by problems such as ulcers and infections. These nursing judgement should be based on the patient’s needs and individualized to the patient’s condition. The patient’s condition should be well managed and related to diabetes care. This will allow nurses to focus on the medical and psychological needs of the patient. Overall, the nursing diagnosis advocates the development of a plan that supports measures to prevent or manage diabetes complications.
Specific, Realistic and Measurable Goals for My Plate for Diabetic Patient
When it comes to diabetes, diet is essential in the recovery process of the patients. A healthy-eating plan can trgger a great difference between managing the disease and letting it take over patient’s life (Perry et al., n.d.). There are various specific goals to prioritize while recommending a healthy-eating plan to a diabetic patient. The primary purpose of any diabetic diet is to keep blood sugar levels in check. That means monitoring carbohydrate intake since carbs raise blood sugar levels more than any other nutrient. In addition, affected people should limit salt and focus on potassium-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Eating healthy is crucial for people with diabetes, but it can be hard to make changes. A registered dietitian can help patient’s create a healthy-eating plan that fits their individual needs and lifestyle.
A healthy-eating plan is a critical component of diabetes management, and there are several ways to approach it. A few general principles should be followed when developing a realistic healthy-eating plan for a diabetic patient. First, the diet should be high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in simple sugars, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Third, the diet should be moderate in protein and fat. In addition to following these general principles, paying attention to portion sizes and ensuring patient get enough calories to meet their energy needs is essential. Measurable goals of a healthy-eating plan for a diabetic patient should be individualized and consider the patient’s preferences, lifestyle, and health status (Perry et al., n.d.). The program should help the patient make gradual changes in eating habits that can be maintained over the long term.
Nursing Intervention for My Plate for Diabetic Patient
As a registered nurse, one of the best interventions for a diabetic patient is to help them develop and stick to a healthy eating plan. This means educating them on which foods to eat and avoid, portion sizes, and the timing of meals (Cooper & Gosnell, n.d.). Moreover, it is vital to aid them fathom the relevance of regular physical activity. There are a few things that must be adhered to when developing a healthy diet plan for a diabetic patient. As mentioned previously, diabetic patients should focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and enough protein (Perry et al., n.d.). They should limit their intake of saturated and trans fats, sugary drinks, and foods and get enough protein. A healthy eating plan should be individualized for each patient, as different people have different dietary needs. However, some general guidelines can be followed. Of all, the paramount action is to help the patient develop a plan that they can stick to, which will help them control their blood sugar levels.
Registered nurses plays a vital role in the care of a diabetic patient that cannot be understated. Apart from a dietary plan, there are other interventions that a nurse can perform to help a diabetic patient manage their condition and improve patient’s overall health (Perry et al., n.d.). One of the most important interventions nurses can serve is to help the patient maintain a strict blood sugar control regimen. Nurses may need to instill patients with knowledge on monitoring their blood sugar levels properly and administering insulin injections.
References
Cooper, K., & Gosnell, K (n.d.). Foundations of Nursing, 9th edition. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Perry, A. G., Potter, P. A., & Ostendorf, W. (n.d). Nursing Interventions & Clinical Skills. Elsevier Health Sciences.