Patient
Allison is a 44-year-old women who had weighted 235 pounds and is 5’7 tall. She is a former smoker and denies any alcohol use. Last month Allison was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II. She also has a history of high cholesterol level and hypertension . She is currently on statins, blood pressure medication and insulin. Allison states that she often forgets taking her medications. Allison often has of severe weakness, dizziness, and sleepiness. She was with Diabetes after she was admitted to emergency room last month for vague abdominal pain while doing house work. She appeared pale, dehydrated with dry mucous membranes, and deficient skin turgor. She also reported generalized tiredness. She has shortness of breath and dehydration. Her respirations were rapid. Blood pressure was high. She stated that she had a 2-week history of polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision before coming to the emergency room. A random glucose test performed was 386mg/dl. Allison denied any symptoms of numbness, tingling in hands or feet, dysuria, chest pain, cough, or fevers.
Now Allison is on blood sugar checks and Insulin injections. She says that sometimes she forgets to check her blood sugar. Allison also states that she knows that she has to lose weight and eat healthier, but she struggles with it. Allison is a single mother. She is very busy with her children and work so she has no time for cooking and often eats frozen meals or take outs. When she get take outs she says that usually it is fast food like burgers and pizza because it is cheaper than other food options.
I chose this patient for my project because Allison needs help with her treatment compliance. I think as a single mother, Allison is also overwhelmed and maybe depressed. She has two wonderful children and they need a healthy mother that can take a good care of them.
The barriers that I may face when presenting the problem to the patient is probably long term compliance with healthy eating habits, exercise and medication management.
To overcome this barriers I may consider reaching the goal slow. I wound consider seeing the dietitian. Also I would consider a lot of support from relatives and family members.