K.N.O.W. Home Health - DIABETES TYPE 2

DIABETES TYPE 2

What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body has trouble using a type of sugar called glucose. Your body either doesn't make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well. Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into your cells for energy. When this doesn’t happen, sugar builds up in your blood.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Being overweight
Not getting enough physical activity
Eating too many sugary or processed foods
Family history of diabetes
Being over age 45

Signs and Symptoms

Feeling very thirsty
Peeing more than usual
Feeling very tired
Blurry vision
Cuts or sores that heal slowly
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Special Diet

Eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
Avoid sugary foods and drinks
Watch your portion sizes
Choose lean proteins like chicken, fish, or beans
Limit white bread, white rice, and other simple carbs

Precautions and Considerations

Check your blood sugar as directed by your doctor
Take your diabetes medicine or insulin as prescribed
Exercise most days of the week
See your doctor regularly
Avoid skipping meals

Other Important Information

Keep your feet clean and dry; check them daily for cuts or blisters
Do not walk barefoot
Wear shoes that fit well
Diabetes can cause problems with your heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves if not managed

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

If your blood sugar is too high or too low
If you have trouble taking your medicine or checking your blood sugar
If you notice signs of infection like redness, warmth, swelling, or pus

When to Go to the Emergency Room

If you feel confused or very sleepy
If you faint or have a seizure
If your blood sugar is extremely high or low and doesn’t improve
If you have trouble breathing

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT True or False Statements. Please correct all False Staements

True or False: Type 2 diabetes happens when your body uses sugar too quickly.
True or False: People with type 2 diabetes may feel tired all the time.
True or False: Eating more vegetables is good for managing type 2 diabetes.
True or False: Peeing less than usual is a symptom of type 2 diabetes.
True or False: You should check your blood sugar as your doctor tells you.
True or False: It's okay to skip meals if your blood sugar is high.
True or False: People with type 2 diabetes should avoid sugary drinks.
True or False: Exercise can help control type 2 diabetes.
True or False: You don’t need to worry about foot care if you have diabetes.
True or False: Type 2 diabetes can affect your eyes and kidneys.
True or False: You should walk barefoot to improve foot strength.
True or False: If you feel confused or faint, you should go to the emergency room.
True or False: Eating lean meats like chicken is better than eating fried foods.
True or False: A doctor can help you choose the best medicine for your diabetes.
True or False: Having a family member with diabetes can raise your risk.
True or False: Whole grains are better than white bread or white rice for diabetes.
True or False: You should wear shoes that fit well to protect your feet.
True or False: Diabetes is caused by eating too many fruits.
True or False: You should call your nurse if a sore on your foot doesn’t heal.
True or False: Blurry vision can be a sign of high blood sugar.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you noticed increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, or unusual fatigue lately?

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Do you find that high or low blood sugar affects your ability to do daily activities safely, such as driving or exercising?

Treatment Adherence:

Are you taking your prescribed medications, monitoring your blood sugar, and following your diet and exercise plan as directed?

Preventive Measures:

Are you making lifestyle changes—like eating balanced meals, staying active, and attending regular check-ups—to prevent complications like heart disease, kidney problems, or nerve damage?

Answer Key with Reasonings

False – Type 2 diabetes happens when your body can’t use sugar properly, not because it uses it too fast.
True – Feeling tired is a common symptom.
True – Vegetables are healthy and help manage blood sugar.
False – Peeing more than usual, not less, is a common symptom.
True – Following your doctor’s orders is important for staying healthy.
False – Skipping meals can make your blood sugar worse, not better.
True – Sugary drinks can raise blood sugar quickly and should be avoided.
True – Exercise helps lower blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.
False – Foot care is very important for people with diabetes.
True – Diabetes can damage many parts of the body if not managed.
False – Walking barefoot increases the risk of foot injuries or infection.
True – These are signs of a medical emergency.
True – Lean meats are better than fried, fatty foods.
True – Your doctor will help decide what medicine works best for you.
True – Diabetes can run in families.
True – Whole grains don’t raise blood sugar as quickly as white carbs.
True – Shoes that fit well help protect your feet from injury.
False – Diabetes is not caused by fruit. In fact, fruits are healthy in moderation.
True – Any sore that doesn’t heal could be serious in diabetes.
True – High blood sugar can cause blurry vision.