Respond to one (1) peer this week. In your response identify a SMART outcome for the patient pertaining to the peers discussion. Discuss three (3) interventions that can be implemented to assist the client/caregivers in meeting this outcome. Interventions need to be supported with evidence.
Peer Discussion
Nutrition
Complications
Good morning! My name is Amy and I will be your child’s nurse today. With your child being newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, I would like to go over your child’s nutrition and possible complications that could occur.
Maintaining your child’s blood sugar within the desired range is crucial if they have diabetes. You should monitor what your child eats on a daily basis. Your child will still be able to eat some of their favorite foods and sweets, but they will need to be in moderation. You will need to spread out their carb intake throughout the day and offer different foods that they can try. Carbs elevate blood sugar levels, so you will need to be mindful of how many carbs your child is getting (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Your body converts carbohydrates into sugar (glucose) after you eat. The blood sugar level rises as the glucose enters the bloodstream. A hormone called insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells that they use as fuel for your body (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Some carbs are better than others. You should try to replace white flour and refined grains with whole wheat pasta, brown rice and oats and whole grain breads, cereals and crackers. Fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods are excellent options since they contain fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients. Fiber can assist in maintaining blood sugar levels within a healthy range by slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugar (Mayo Clinic, 2022). When possible, you should choose a meal that contains whole grains, fresh fruit, lean protein, vegetables and healthy fats. Types of lean protein include chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt, beans and lentils and lean beef. Vegetables that would be good to incorporate into your child’s diet would be broccoli, leafy greens, cabbage, asparagus and carrots. Starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn should be given in moderation (Eating Smart When Your Child Has Diabetes (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.). Your child should avoid sugary drinks. Water is of course the best option, but you could try infusing their water with fresh fruits and herbs to help give it flavor. You can also add a sugar free crystal light or tea (Eating Smart When Your Child Has Diabetes (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.). You will want to make sure that your child does not skip a meal as this could cause an alarming increase or decrease in your child’s blood sugar. You will also be taught how to carb count as this will help you know how much insulin your child will need at meals. Compared to carbs, protein and fat have less of an impact on the body’s blood sugar levels (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Since it’s crucial that your child consume the right amounts of both fat and protein, you might need to count the amount of each in their diet. Excessive fat might make it harder for your child to maintain a healthy weight and raise their risk of heart disease (Mayo Clinic, 2022). We will put in a consult for a nutritionist to come speak with you so they can discuss how much fats and protein your child will need.
Complications that could occur as a result of diabetes mellitus are nerve damage, kidney damage, heart and blood vessel disease, eye damage and osteoporosis (Mayo Clinic, 2022). If their blood sugar is not under control, nerve damage typically develops gradually over a long period of time. The walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply your child’s nerves may be damaged by too much sugar. This may result in discomfort, burning, tingling, or numbness (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The many microscopic blood artery clusters in the kidneys that remove waste from your child’s blood can be harmed by diabetes. Diabetes raises your child’s chance of later-life illnesses like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and restricted blood vessels (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Diabetes may cause issues with eyesight by damaging the retina’s blood vessels. Diabetes can lower bone mineral density, which raises the possibility that your kid will develop osteoporosis as an adult (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
I know this can be a lot of information, so I have some handouts here for you on what we went over. I will give you time to look over them and then can answer any questions you may have and we can discuss a meal plan for your child.
References:
Eating Smart When Your Child Has Diabetes (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. (n.d.). Kidshealth.org. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/meal-plans-diabetes.html#:~:text=Whole%2Dgrain%20foods%2C%20fruits%2CLinks to an external site.
Mayo Clinic. (2022, March 31). Type 2 diabetes in children – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20355318Links to an external site.
