DIABETES AND PVD


Scenario: Tom has Peripheral Vascular Disease and type 2 diabetes. High blood glucose affects blood circulation. Tom complains of "intermittent claudication".

What is PVD?
PVD means Peripheral Vascular Disease. 

What are the implications of intermittent claudication and PVD?
Intermittent claudication affects diabetics. Patients experience pain on walking, but this usually resolves at rest. Circulation to the legs is affected and gangrene may result. Amputation may also result from PVD.


 
How should you treat blood glucose?
Monitoring blood glucose is essential to maintain glucose within normal limits. Normal blood glucose is 60-120. Typically blood glucose is measured before mealtime. This will make for a more accurate reading. There are many different blood glucose meters on the market.

How do you monitor blood glucose?
Finger sticking for glucose monitoring is usually done off to the side of the finger. Rotation of sites is essential to allow healing.

Note for Nurses:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for an accurate meter reading. MD orders are usually written to follow a sliding scale for each patient.

- Monitoring blood glucose is an essential part of managing the diabetic patient. Hypoglycemic agents or insulin or both will be ordered by the doctor to meet the patient's needs.

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