Signs and Symptoms
This symptom, caused by excess glucose in the urine, leads to frequent bathroom trips especially at night.
What is polyuria?
This test measures blood sugar after fasting for at least 8 hours. Two results of 126 mg/dL or higher confirm a diagnosis of diabetes.
What is a Fasting Blood Glucose (Fasting Blood Sugar) test?
In this type of diabetes, the body produces no insulin due to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
What is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
The onset of Type 1 diabetes is typically sudden, while Type 2 diabetes develops in this manner.
What is gradual or slow onset?
A 12-year-old is diagnosed with diabetes after sudden weight loss and frequent urination. The nurse expects this diagnosis.
What is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
Sudden, unexplained weight loss is a hallmark symptom of this type of diabetes.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
This test reflects average blood glucose levels over 8–12 weeks and is used to monitor long-term control of diabetes.
What is the Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1C) test?
In this type of diabetes, the body produces insulin but becomes resistant to its effects or doesn’t produce enough.
What is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
This body type is more commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes.
What is lean or thin body type?
The nurse explains that people with Type 1 diabetes must take this treatment for life.
What is insulin therapy?
Because the pancreas still produces some insulin, these symptoms may develop gradually in this type of diabetes.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
The HbA1C test should be repeated every three months, and the acceptable level has been reduced to this percentage to minimize long-term complications.
What is 7% (and likely to be lowered to 6%)?
This process occurs when blood glucose levels become elevated due to decreased cellular use and transport of glucose.
What is hyperglycemia?
Viral infections such as mumps, rubella, and Coxsackievirus can trigger the autoimmune response leading to this type of diabetes.
What is Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
The nurse knows that obesity, poor diet, and inactivity are major risk factors for this type of diabetes.
What is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
This symptom occurs because cells are starved for glucose despite high blood sugar, making patients feel constantly hungry.
What is polyphagia?
This test is performed if ketoacidosis develops to evaluate acid-base balance and confirm metabolic acidosis.
What is an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis?
When blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold, glucose spills into the urine, producing this condition.
What is glucosuria?
This common lifestyle factor decreases insulin receptor sensitivity and increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
What is obesity (especially central or abdominal fat)?
A patient with Type 1 diabetes is breathing rapidly with fruity-smelling breath. The nurse suspects this condition.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
This “three P’s” symptom triad is commonly seen in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
What are polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia?
Along with ABG analysis, these blood tests may be ordered to monitor imbalances that occur during diabetic ketoacidosis.
What are serum electrolyte tests?
As dehydration worsens and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls, the body can no longer excrete acids, resulting in this dangerous state.
What is decompensated metabolic acidosis (diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA)?
Over time, the pancreas in Type 2 diabetes becomes overworked and can no longer produce enough insulin, this is known as what?
What is beta-cell fatigue?
The nurse teaches that regular blood glucose monitoring with a glucometer helps prevent these two things.
What are blood sugar fluctuations and complications?