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Pre and post-operative needs of patients with diabetes
Author: Paula Holt
Date: August 2012
Journal: Nursing Standard
Issue: Volume 26, Number 50
Keywords: Blood glucose, diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, pre and post-operative care, surgery
The incidence of diabetes is rising rapidly and individuals with the condition often have complex comorbidities, which may increase the need for surgical procedures such as amputation and cardiac, renal and eye surgery. Patients with diabetes undergoing surgery may have specific needs, particularly in relation to blood glucose control, and healthcare professionals need to be able to assess and manage these individuals to ensure optimum surgical outcomes. This article considers the potential effects of anaesthesia and surgery on blood glucose control. Diabetes-related complications, particularly signs and symptoms, and effects of these complications on patient safety during surgery are discussed. Specific pre and post-operative care of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes is described, with reference to nil-by-mouth practices, blood glucose control, and post-operative infection and pain.
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The RCN Publishing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest organisation for nurses. RCN Publishing produces one weekly, eight monthly and two quarterly nursing publications. Nursing Standard, the flagship journal, is the UK's biggest selling weekly for nursing. It is produced by RCN Publishing Company along with a suite of specialist nursing journals - Cancer Nursing Practice, Mental Health Practice, Learning Disability Practice, Nursing Children and Young People, Nursing Management, Emergency Nurse, Nursing Older People, Nurse Researcher and Primary Health Care. RCN Publishing Company also produce the RCN Bulletin, a major source of up-to-the-minute information for RCN members in all specialities, grades and working environments. With the latest nurse vacancies from trusts nationwide, it has become the most cost-effective nurse recruitment magazine available.