Question

The nurse is beginning to teach a diabetic patient about vascular complications of diabetes. Which of the following information would be appropriate for the nurse to include?

1) Macroangiopathy does not occur in type 1 diabetes but rather in type 2 diabetics who have severe disease.
2) Microangiopathy is specific to diabetes and most commonly affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin.
3) Renal damage resulting from changes in large- and medium-sized blood vessels can be prevented by careful glucose control.
4) Macroangiopathy causes slowed gastric emptying and the sexual impotency experienced by a majority of patients with diabetes.

Answer 1

When teaching a diabetic patient about vascular complications of diabetes, the nurse should include information about microangiopathy, renal damage, and macroangiopathy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include the following information when teaching a diabetic patient about vascular complications of diabetes:

1. Microangiopathy: This is a specific complication of diabetes that affects the capillary membranes of the eyes, kidneys, and skin. It is caused by damage to small blood vessels due to high blood glucose levels.
2. Renal damage: Changes in large- and medium-sized blood vessels can lead to renal damage in diabetes. For this reason, careful glucose control is necessary to prevent kidney damage.
3. Macroangiopathy: Contrary to the statement in option 1, macroangiopathy can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It causes issues like slowed gastric emptying and sexual impotency. However, it is important to note that macroangiopathy does not cause the majority of vascular complications in diabetes.