Nursing Care for Diabetic Patients with Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Two case studies

Abstract

     The objective of this case study was to compare nursing care for two diabetic patients with  diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), from the critical period, the continuing care period to the discharge   period. Data were collected from inpatient medical records. Gordon’s 11 functional health patterns were employed to investigate the patients’ problems, define nursing diagnosis, plan nursing practice and summarize and assess nursing outcomes.

     Results: Two diabetic patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) who were admitted to the Male Medical Ward 3, Khon Kaen Hospital had similar symptoms, including high blood glucose and ketones. Nevertheless, they were different in the following aspects. The first case study was a young man with type 1 diabetes mellitus and without comorbidities. He had not taken diabetes medication for 2 years and had a respiratory crisis, which was more complicated for treatment. However, it took less time to treat because he was young and came to the hospital quite fast. The second case was an elderly man with type 2 diabetes mellitus and comorbidities. The study indicates that with an increased age, it becomes more difficult to control the disease due to deterioration of the physical condition that causes declines in the functions of various organs, resulting in a longer treatment period.