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Signature Assignment: Case Study Paper
Introduction:
Patient H.K. is a 53-year-old man from San Bernardino California, who works as
a mechanic. His last doctor visit was roughly 7 years ago and states that he had high
blood sugar (hyperglycemic) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) at the time, but did
not follow up with labs or management. H.K. recently (6 months ago) participated in an
annual health screening at work and claims fasting blood sugar at the time was 180 and
cholesterol was 245. H.K. states that although he knows those numbers are elevated, he
could not afford the expense of a copay or medications at the time and did not follow up
because he felt “just fine at the time”.
Today he presents to urgent care (at St. Bernadine’s Medical Center)
complaining that his right foot has felt numb and has been difficult to flex for about 4
weeks making it difficult for him to work. H.K. claims that he has not experienced any
other weakness or numbness anywhere else, but has been thirstier lately, and has been
waking up more frequently in the night to urinate. He states that after looking online he
thinks these symptoms are “his body trying to maintain homeostasis and hydration due
to the summer heat”
Diagnosis: Diabetic Neuropathy of right foot due to unmanaged Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus
Pathophysiology: Diabetic Neuropathy pathophysiology, “Hyperglycemia is an
important risk factor for the development of diabetic nephropathy. It induces an
abnormal activation of protein kinase C (PKC), which is involved in the development of
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Signature Assignment: Case Study Paper
Introduction:
Patient H.K. is a 53-year-old man from San Bernardino California, who works as
a mechanic. His last doctor visit was roughly 7 years ago and states that he had high
blood sugar (hyperglycemic) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) at the time, but did
not follow up with labs or management. H.K. recently (6 months ago) participated in an
annual health screening at work and claims fasting blood sugar at the time was 180 and
cholesterol was 245. H.K. states that although he knows those numbers are elevated, he
could not afford the expense of a copay or medications at the time and did not follow up
because he felt “just fine at the time”.
Today he presents to urgent care (at St. Bernadine’s Medical Center)
complaining that his right foot has felt numb and has been difficult to flex for about 4
weeks making it difficult for him to work. H.K. claims that he has not experienced any
other weakness or numbness anywhere else, but has been thirstier lately, and has been
waking up more frequently in the night to urinate. He states that after looking online he
thinks these symptoms are “his body trying to maintain homeostasis and hydration due
to the summer heat”
Diagnosis: Diabetic Neuropathy of right foot due to unmanaged Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus
Pathophysiology: Diabetic Neuropathy pathophysiology, “Hyperglycemia is an
important risk factor for the development of diabetic nephropathy. It induces an
abnormal activation of protein kinase C (PKC), which is involved in the development of
