Question

Leah, age 70, has had diabetes for many years. When teaching her about foot care, you want to stress: Which of the following statements is true?

1) Her calluses will protect her from infection.
2) The need to assess the bottom of her feet carefully after walking barefoot.
3) Painless ulcerations might occur and feet should be examined with a mirror.
4) Mild pain is to be expected because of neuropathy.

Answer 1

The correct statement to stress for Leah's diabetic foot care is that painless ulcerations might occur, so it is crucial to examine the feet using a mirror due to the possibility of neuropathy reducing sensation in the feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching Leah, who is 70 years old and has had diabetes for many years, about foot care, it is important to emphasize that painless ulcerations might occur and feet should be examined with a mirror. This is because over time, persistently high levels of glucose in the blood lead to nerve damage, known as neuropathy, which can result in a loss of sensation in the extremities, making it difficult to notice injuries to the feet.

Checking feet with a mirror can help identify any issues that might not be felt due to neuropathy. Immediate attention to foot injuries is critical, as diabetes can lead to poor healing and complications like infection, or worse, necessitating amputation, underscores the importance of maintaining vigilant foot care practices.