Diabetes in Children: Treating Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes and Considering Issues Unique to Childhood and Adolescence- 6HR

Course overview

Audience: This course will benefit all nurses who care for children in either an inpatient or ambulatory care setting. Course overview: Diabetes is becoming more common in the pediatric population and nurses, as well as other healthcare professionals, have a responsibility to understand the key components of diabetes management in children and teens. Managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes means that the nurse not only provides direct patient care, but also education for patients and families in order for the patient to safely manage their diabetes at home and away from the medical environment. The nurse should not only be familiar with the ways in which to treat diabetes at home, but also the warning signs and reasons for bringing the child or teen to the hospital for immediate emergency care. The nurse will need to consider the child’s age and developmental stage when providing patient/family education and should inform parents of what to expect, physically, emotionally, and socially, according to the child’s developmental maturity. The nurse should recognize the unique stages and challenges of each age group when it comes to dietary management and the use of insulin, and also the psychosocial issues that may put the child’s life in danger, including possible substance abuse, eating disorders, and rebellious behavior that may occur during the years of adolescence. This course will cover the symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, screenings, complications, and management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population, as well as provide online diabetes resources that nurses can share with families. Learning objectives: Upon completion of this course, the learner should be able to: •Identify the characteristics of type 1s and type 2 diabetes and the similarities and differences between these two types of diabetes in the pediatric population. •Describe the symptoms, risk factors, screenings, and complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and teens. •Identify the goals of management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population. •Describe the symptoms and treatment for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in children and teens. •Explain the importance of patient and family education regarding the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as the ways in which nurses can provide medical and psychosocial support for families. •Identify the unique issues faced by each age group within the pediatric population related to the management of diabetes. •Describe the challenges of caring for adolescents with diabetes and how teens’ increasing independence, risk-taking behaviors, and rebellion may lead to life-endangering consequences. •Lead the effort to provide the parents and child/teen with online and community resources to provide emotional and social support throughout the long-term management of diabetes.