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Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Care Plan
A Comprehensive Guide for Clinical and Exam
Success
Patient Profile (Example)
• Patient: Mr. John Doe, 58 years old
• Admitting Diagnosis: Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• History: HTN, Hyperlipidemia, Obesity (BMI 32)
• Presenting Symptoms: Polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, blood
glucose of 380 mg/dL, HbA1c 10.2%.
1. Nursing Assessment (The "Data" Collection)
Assessment is the first step. You must cluster the data to form your
nursing diagnoses.
Subjective Data (Patient
Objective Data (Nurse Observes/Measures)
Says)
"I'm tired all the time." Vitals: BP 145/90, HR 88
"I'm thirsty no matter
Labs: Blood Glucose 380 mg/dL, HbA1c 10.2%
how much I drink."
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Subjective Data (Patient
Objective Data (Nurse Observes/Measures)
Says)
"I get up 4-5 times a
Physical: Skin dry on lower extremities, poor skin turg
night to urinate."
"I have a funny tingling Foot exam: Decreased sensation to monofilament on
feeling in my feet." bilateral plantar surfaces. Callus on right heel.
"I don't understand how
Weight: 110 kg.
to count carbs."
"I've been eating Wounds: Small, red area (0.5cm) on right heel, skin
whatever I want." intact.
2. Nursing Diagnoses (NANDA-I)
Based on the assessment data, here are the priority nursing diagnoses for
a patient with diabetes.
1. Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose
oAs evidenced by: inadequate blood glucose monitoring,
sedentary activity level, insufficient knowledge of diabetes
management.
2. Deficient Knowledge
oAs evidenced by: verbalization of "I don't understand how to
count carbs," inaccurate follow-through of instructions, new
diagnosis of diabetes.
3. Risk for Infection
o As evidenced by: high glucose levels (which impair leukocyte
function), history of skin breakdown.
Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Care Plan
A Comprehensive Guide for Clinical and Exam
Success
Patient Profile (Example)
• Patient: Mr. John Doe, 58 years old
• Admitting Diagnosis: Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• History: HTN, Hyperlipidemia, Obesity (BMI 32)
• Presenting Symptoms: Polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, blood
glucose of 380 mg/dL, HbA1c 10.2%.
1. Nursing Assessment (The "Data" Collection)
Assessment is the first step. You must cluster the data to form your
nursing diagnoses.
Subjective Data (Patient
Objective Data (Nurse Observes/Measures)
Says)
"I'm tired all the time." Vitals: BP 145/90, HR 88
"I'm thirsty no matter
Labs: Blood Glucose 380 mg/dL, HbA1c 10.2%
how much I drink."
, 2|Page
Subjective Data (Patient
Objective Data (Nurse Observes/Measures)
Says)
"I get up 4-5 times a
Physical: Skin dry on lower extremities, poor skin turg
night to urinate."
"I have a funny tingling Foot exam: Decreased sensation to monofilament on
feeling in my feet." bilateral plantar surfaces. Callus on right heel.
"I don't understand how
Weight: 110 kg.
to count carbs."
"I've been eating Wounds: Small, red area (0.5cm) on right heel, skin
whatever I want." intact.
2. Nursing Diagnoses (NANDA-I)
Based on the assessment data, here are the priority nursing diagnoses for
a patient with diabetes.
1. Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose
oAs evidenced by: inadequate blood glucose monitoring,
sedentary activity level, insufficient knowledge of diabetes
management.
2. Deficient Knowledge
oAs evidenced by: verbalization of "I don't understand how to
count carbs," inaccurate follow-through of instructions, new
diagnosis of diabetes.
3. Risk for Infection
o As evidenced by: high glucose levels (which impair leukocyte
function), history of skin breakdown.
