HFCC 221 Diabetes Help!!!!!

Read the book, read the book, read the book. Then after you read it three times, go over your instructor's power points. This is what I got out of my lectures so far.....

Diabetes 1: remember MUST be treated with insulin. The pancreas can not produce insulin because the beta cells have been DESTROYED, therefore they can not be stimulated because there is nothing to stimulate. Know why they have been destroyed. Now what KIND of insulin? Depends.... so KNOW the different types: regular, NPH, Lantus, etc..... We need to know when they peak especially. Know risk factors and age before this person can be diagnosed. Know that D1 can lead to DKA, and know what signs & symptoms to look for and how you would treat that. Also know that Metformin is the ONLY oral agent you can use with D1 (it's also used with D2 as well). Know what the classification is of the drug, how it works, and SEs.

Diabetes 2: Beta cells are not DESTROYED, only damaged, so insulin and/or orals STIMULATE them to produce insulin. Can be treated with orals or insulin or sometimes just diet/exercise. Know risk factors as to why this person was diagnosed. Know food Exchanges - you can probably even go online to look this info up. Know that this person is at risk for HHNK and the signs for that & how you would treat it. This person is usually diagnosed AFTER the age of 35 whereas the Diabetes type 1 person can be diagnosed as a child, but before age 35.

Know the different tests on how to monitor blood sugar. Blood glucose monitoring, OGTT, A1C........

How do you treat hypoglycemia? 6-8 (I think) lifesavers & some OJ, then re-check sugar in 15 minutes. If it's stabilized, eat a pbj sandwich & some milk; if not, more lifesavers & check again in 15 minutes.

What section are you in?? I hope this helps. This is what I got from the 2 lectures and it seems to be sticking. Remember, just break it down and you will get it.

Isn't there a graphic in the text that differentiates btw DKA and HHNK? Know that cold. Def know the purpose of an A1C.

Some advice: everything you will need to know to pass NCLEX is covered from now until Christmas break in 221 and 222. (OK, so there's an OB question or two.) Learn this content well.

Good luck everyone. It's a fun, interesting year. Do NOT flunk out!! You are thisclose to your dream. Failure is not an option!!

Veruka: thank u very much for the advise. I'm just a little confussed because the onle lec I got was the fly-by-night lec from the orientation, so I read the book. Thanks for the reply & I will keep that in mind when I reread the chapter. And by the way I'm in sec #3

MySimplePlan: Thank you for your reply and now my question is: shoould I buy a NCLEX book and read everything that we'll cover from now on in that book? Because this will get me (us) ready for the state boards (NCLEX)?

I would say no. At this point, you have enough on your plate to learn the content of the next two quarters. Spend your energy and brain cells focusing on that - it's plenty enough!!

Let me say this: most of you will be able to pass NCLEX the day you get out of nursing school, with no additional NCLEX studying. No one wants to take that chance, but you'll be well-prepared by the end of school. So spend this fall learning the material presented to you really well. Put the effort in now.

There is one book I'd recommend, though, and it's a book everyone should read before nursing school. Unfortunately, you don't really find out about it until you begin to study for NCLEX.It's by Kaplan, titled NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Nursing Licensure Exam. This book explains how to break down nursing test questions, and that's extremely valuable information for you to use right now, during your last year of NS. It would be best if we all could have known to read this the first year of school, when those questions mystified the heck out of us!! Oh well, get it now, and use its contents to help you finish the year, then aid you preparing for the NCLEX.

In short, don't start killing yourself right now for NCLEX. You will have what it takes to pass when you finish your second year. Concentrate on doing that well, and having a little bit of fun, because you will miss it. Call me crazy (hey! Don't call me that other thing) but you will miss your days at school.

Good luck!

Great advice all, thank you!

I'm also taking the 221 test on Monday...eeek! Looks like I'll be continuing my studies at work...all....night....long...

I bought the Saunders NCLEX book and have been doing some the diabetes questions, which seems to help a bit. I'll have to check out the NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Nursing Licensure Exam. Sounds like a winner :)