28.1: Introduction to Diabetes
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
- 28.1.1 Describe the pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- 28.1.2 Identify clinical manifestations of diabetes.
- 28.1.3 Identify the etiology and diagnostic studies related to diabetes.
The islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells located in the pancreas. They are composed of alpha and beta cells, which are crucial for glucose homeostasis. Alpha (α) cells produce glucagon, which breaks down glycogen into glucose in the liver. Beta (β) cells secrete insulin, which regulates glucose metabolism and facilitates absorption of glucose from the bloodstream into cells (see Figure 28.2). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is characterized by hyperglycemia associated with alterations in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism (Dilworth et al., 2021).
After reviewing the client’s symptoms, the nurse anticipates which diagnosis by the health care provider?
- Answer
-
Type 2 diabetes
To determine the client’s blood glucose level over the last 3 months, which diagnostic test does the nurse anticipate the health care provider will order?
- Answer
-
Glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1c)