Running head: NUTRIONAL ASSESSMENT 1

Nutritional Assessment: Mr. Luke Skywalker

Madzid Coric

University of South Florida College of Nursing

NUTRIONAL ASSESSMENT 2

Nutritional Assessment: Mr. Luke Skywalker

Mr. Luke Skywalker has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and has been

prescribed an oral diabetic medication. He is on course for a prompt discharge. Type 2 diabetes

mellitus can be defined as a resistance to insulin activity with a lowered secretion of insulin from

the pancreatic beta cells. This in turn disables autoimmune beta cell destruction. An individual

such as Mr. Skywalker would need to pay close attention to his diet, particularly making sure to

understand what an appropriate carbohydrate intake is, and, if applicable, promoting weight loss

and maintenance of an appropriate body weight.

Disease Process

The most apparent onset of diabetes mellitus is insulin resistance (Mahler, 1999). Insulin

attaches to receptors located on cells in muscle and the liver (Muchiri, Gericke, Rheeder, 2016).

Specific mechanisms prevent insulin from moving glucose (commonly referred to as blood

sugar) into these cells. Most people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can initially

produce a normal, sometimes high, amount of insulin. The pancreas will normally produce

enough insulin to contain the resistance, but over time this process dwindles and the pancreas no

longer functions to overcome the resistance (Muchiri, Gericke, Rheeder, 2016).

Most people experiencing the initial stages of type 2 diabetes will often go through

postprandial hyperglycemia, which is a sudden rise in blood sugar after consuming food

(Diabetes mellitus). This is why it is imperative to maintain adequate knowledge of carbohydrate

intake.

After a period of time, beta cells within the pancreas become damaged due to the

abnormal glucose levels, which stunts insulin production severely (Mahler, 1999). As a result,

glucose levels become high during all times.

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Required or Restricted Nutritional Items

Because managing postprandial glucose levels is so imperative, certain approaches to diet

should be taken. Maintaining a diet with carbohydrates coming from fruits and vegetables is

recommended (Malaguti-Boyle, 2016). A diet high in fiber is also recommended in order to help

control blood glucose levels and the amount of glycated hemoglobin throughout the body

(Malaguti-Boyle, 2016). As far as restrictions, consistently eating foods rich in saturated fatty

acids and maintaining a diet that consists of high-fats and high sugars can put people at higher

risks of chronic elevation of blood glucose (Malaguti-Boyle, 2016).

Patient Education Regarding Proper Nutrition Based on their Disease Process

Because Mr. Skywalker has been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I would help

create a foundation for the most optimal way of him treating his condition. I would place his

dietary needs at the forefront, by making sure that carbohydrate intakes are regularly observed

and noted and that the majority of carbohydrates being consumed derive from fruits and

vegetables, in order to avoid consistently abnormal blood glucose levels. Limiting any foods

high in sugar and fat would also be advised so that the diet is well-rounded and that glucose

levels are not regularly abnormal.

Conclusion

Mr. Skywalker and many other individuals face the effects of type 2 diabetes on a

widespread scale. Diet and exercise are at the forefront of nutritional maintenance and ensuring

that patients such as Mr. Skywalker are being actively educated on the importance of these two

components can help individuals have better control of the condition. Staying conscious of

nutritional needs and responsibly feeding oneself can help to control the difficult implications

that are seen as a result of having type 2 diabetes.

NUTRIONAL ASSESSMENT 4

References

Diabetes mellitus. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2016, from

http://www.micromedexsolutions.com.ezproxy.hsc.usf.edu/micromedex2/librarian/CS/97

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videncexpert/PFActionId/evidencexpert.IntermediateToDocumentLink?docId=CR1708C

&contentSetId=136&title=Diabetes mellitus&servicesTitle=Diabetes mellitus#

Mahler, R. J. (1999). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Update on Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and

Treatment. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(4), 1165-1171.

doi:10.1210/jc.84.4.1165

Malaguti-Boyle, M. (2016). Evidence for the effectiveness of clinical nutrition therapy in

diabetes mellitus type 2. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 22(2),

74-82.

doi:http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.hsc.usf.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=66db

1a69-b50b-4fdc-9f11-3bc83881cb41@sessionmgr103&vid=6&hid=114

Muchiri, J.W., Gericke, G.J. and Rheeder, P. (2016) Effect of a nutrition education programme

on clinical status and dietary behaviours of adults with type 2 diabetes in a resource-

limited setting in South Africa: a randomised controlled trial, Public Health Nutrition,

19(1), pp. 142155. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015000956.