Cadiogan, Dianne Kate A.

Rural Health Nursing April 5, 2018

HEALTH EDUCATION PLAN FOR DIABETES MELLITUS

Objectives:

1. To provide adequate balance diet for Diabetes Mellitus type 1,2 and 3
2. To improve insulin sensitivity, thus improving glyceric control and may help with weight
reduction
3. To promote and demonstrate proper physical activities and proper foot care for Diabetes
Mellitus

Materials Needed

1. Visual Aids
2. Food pictures
3. Video Clips for exercises

General Health Teachings Specific Health Teachings

1. Exercise  Exercise 3 times each week with no more

than 2 consecutive days without exercise
 Use proper footwear and if appropriate,
other protective equipment (i.e., helmet
for cycling)
 Avoid trauma to the lower extremities,
especially in patients with numbness due
to peripheral neuropathy
 Avoid exercise in extreme heat or cold
 Avoid exercise during periods of poor
metabolic control
2. Nutrition  Eat most: vegetables, rice, bread, grains,
wholegrain cereals and non-sweet fresh
fruits
 Eat moderately: fish, eggs, skinless
chicken, low-fat cheese, nuts and low-fat
milk
 Eat least: butter, oil, cream, processed
meat, sweets, pastries, biscuits and soft
drinks
 Advise overweight patients to lose weight
of about 5-10% of the body weight over 3-
6 months by reducing total energy intake
by reducing portion sizes and avoiding
excessive intake of fats and sugar, and to
 maintain achieved weight loss and prevent
regaining of weight
 Fat intake should no more than 30% of
total energy intake. Restrict saturated fat
to less than 10% of total energy intake
 Restrict salt intake to less than 6g per day
particularly in people with hypertension.
Limit foods which are high in salt such as
preserved and processed foods

3. Physical Activity  Do Every day: walk to the shops instead of

driving and use stairs rather than the
elevator
 Do regularly: brisk walking and ballgames
(e.g,. basketball, volleyball)
 Do sparingly: watching television, using
internet and computer games
 Careful attention should be paid to
potential physical activity hazards such as
cuts, scratches, and dehydration and
special care of feet should be taken
 If physical activity is sudden and/ or
vigorous advise patient to adjust their food
intake or medications in order to avoid
hypoglycemia.
4. Foot Care  Check feet everyday (top,bottom and
between the toes)
 Wash and dry feet everyday
 Always wear socks and shoes, don’t go
barefoot, even at home
 Protect your feet from heat and cold,
wear comfortable, loose fitting socks
 Stop/Cease smoking because smoking
slows down blood flow to the feet
 Keep Moving! Blood flow is important for
healthy feet, when sitting wiggle toes and
move feet
5. Hypoglycemia  Check blood glucose. If lower than 7o
mg/dL, eat or drink 15 grams of
carbohydrates
 Wait 15 minutes because that’s how long
it takes for sugar to get into the blood
 Check blood glucose again
 Carbohydrates consist of hard candy,
glucose tablets, juice, honey or sugar and
skim milk
References:

 Pillitteri,A (2014). Maternal & Child Health Nursing: Care of the childbearing &
childrearing family Volume 1 Edition 7. Hongkong: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
 Hinkle,J (2014). Medical-Surgical Nursing Volume 13th Edition. London: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins
 Public Health Resources (2014): Diabetes Mellitus Guidelines DOH Philippines
 American Diabetes Association (2014) Diabetic care:Foot care dieases: Knowledge
point360 group
 Joslin (2015).The National Diabetes Education Initiative. A patient education: Ashfeild
Healthcare Communication