3.6 Spotlight Application

A nurse is completing a learner assessment on a client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes. The client, Mr. Smith, is a 55-year-old male who is being seen in the clinic as he reports uncontrolled hyperglycemia following celebration of his recent birthday. Mr. Smith is eager to learn more about his condition and how to manage it more effectively through his diet. The nurse meets with Mr. Smith to assess his knowledge, understanding, and readiness to learn about diabetes self-management, specifically how his diet can impact management of his disease.

During the assessment, the nurse asks Mr. Smith about his current knowledge of diabetes, any previous experience with the condition, and his willingness to learn. The nurse also assesses Mr. Smith’s literacy level, preferred learning style, and any cultural or religious beliefs that may impact his learning and dietary adherence.

Based on the assessment, the nurse identifies areas where Mr. Smith needs additional education and tailors the teaching plan to meet his specific needs and preferences.

The nurse plans to provide Mr. Smith with five key topics related to managing his diabetes through diet management and modification.

• Carbohydrate awareness: Understand how different foods affect blood sugar levels, focusing on balancing carbohydrate intake with proteins and healthy fats.
• Portion control: Learn about appropriate portion sizes to help manage blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight.
• Meal planning: Create a personalized meal plan that includes a variety of foods from all food groups, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.
• Sugar substitutes: Identify and use sugar substitutes and alternatives to reduce added sugars in the diet.
• Reading food labels: Learn how to read food labels to make informed choices about the nutritional content of foods, especially regarding carbohydrates, fiber, and sugar content.