Abstract
This paper will present with a patient’s case study revelations throughout her recent heath problems. It will discuss the patient’s underlying disease of diabetes mellulitiis. The six body systems affected by this disease will be discussed and the major pathophysiologic concepts within each system will be elaborated on. Our Patient’s Case Study Revelelations
Our patient is a 62 year old female with cellulitis of her right lower leg. This patient has a history of smoking three packs a day for 40 years and unfortunately has admitted to smoking again. She has high blood sugar; however, she cannot remember the name of the medication she is taking for it. She has a “touch” of high blood pressure and claims she controls her hypertension by eating a low salt diet. Her husband passed away 14 years ago and she states that she misses him very much. As the weeks continue, our patient is experiencing dyspnea upon rising in the morning. She has bilateral diminished lung sounds along with crackles. Our patient’s condition continues to worsen and she is diagnosed with congestive heart failure. She is complaining of pain in her extremities and abdomen. Her lab work shows azotemia, red blood cells and protein in her urine, and elevated blood glucose level. The fluid buildup continues in her lungs and her urine output is minimal. Heart failure and fluid volume excess seems evident, as well as, her renal system appears to be impaired.
Underlying Disease
This patient’s underlying disease is diabetes mellulitis; she has uncontrolled high blood sugar that she has been neglecting to take care of. According to Porth (2007), “Diabetes is a disorder of carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism resulting from an imbalance between insulin availability and insulin need”. She states that she “does not remember” what the medication she takes for her high blood sugar