Curing Diabetes

A transplant patient may feel overwhelmed at the prospect of going home. Explain to her that she will have a home care nurse who will continue her care. The home care nurse will assess blood glucose levels, daily intake and output, daily weight, diet (low protein, low sodium, no concentrated sweets), stool for occult blood, and urine for blood, protein, and glucose.Show your patient how to monitor her blood pressure and temperature. Reinforce the name and action of each drug and review the dosages, times of administration, and possible adverse effects.

Instruct your patient and her family to notify her physician immediately if signs or symptoms of rejection or infection develop or if they can’t obtain the prescribed drug. Make sure they know the signs and symptoms of rejection: temperature over 100° F, weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds in 1 day, increased blood pressure, pain, swelling or tenderness over either graft site, and hyperglycemia.

Filed under: Diabetes Treatment