Care Manager Certification Practice Exam

What nursing intervention is most important when managing a client's diabetes mellitus in relation to wound care?

1. Administer insulin as prescribed

2. Monitor blood glucose levels

3. Encourage regular foot inspections

4. Provide education on dietary needs

The correct answer is: Encourage regular foot inspections

When managing a client's diabetes mellitus, particularly with regard to wound care, encouraging regular foot inspections is crucial. Diabetes can lead to neuropathy, where individuals might not feel injuries or lesions on their feet, making them prone to unnoticed wounds that can lead to serious complications, including infections or amputations. Regular foot inspections help clients identify any changes or damage early on, which is vital for timely intervention. This practice enables the client to take proactive steps in wound care and management, which is particularly important for maintaining overall health and preventing complications related to diabetes. While administering insulin as prescribed, monitoring blood glucose levels, and providing education on dietary needs are all important components of diabetes management, the significance of directly inspecting feet cannot be understated in preventing wounds. The emphasis on foot care in diabetic patients is well established in practice guidelines because the feet are often the first sites where diabetes-related complications manifest.