Question

A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of type 1 diabetes has a history of poor glycemic control. The nurse recognizes the need to assess the patient for signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy constitutes a risk for what nursing diagnosis?

A) Infection
B) Acute pain
C) Acute confusion
D) Impaired urinary elimination

Answer 1

Peripheral neuropathy in a patient with longstanding type 1 diabetes increases the risk for infection due to the potential for injuries to go unnoticed and become severely infected.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and poor glycemic control is at risk for peripheral neuropathy. The nurse should be concerned with several potential nursing diagnoses, but when assessing for peripheral neuropathy specifically, the concern is that it can lead to a risk for infection. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, which include numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities, may go unnoticed leading to minor injuries becoming serious infections due to lack of sensation. This can become a major concern for the patient, as these infections can become complicated and challenging to treat.

The risk for peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes, can constitute a nursing diagnosis of Acute Pain. Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to assess the patient for signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in order to address and manage any pain experienced by the patient