Research Article

Evaluation of Nurses’ Knowledge Levels of Diabetic Foot Care Management

Table 4

Nurses’ Knowledge Level Form on Diabetic Foot Management.

RISK FACTORSTrueFalse
nn

(1) Poor glycemic control42898.471.6
(2) Presence of sense of chill, pain, burning, tingling, and tenderness in foot40893.8276.2
(3) Neuropathic foot (loss of sensory-motor function)41795.9184.1
(4) Peripheral vascular disease36984.86615.2
(5) Inadequate foot care and lack of hygiene40994.0266.0
(6) Presence of foot edema37987.15612.9
(7) Presence of foot callus34078.29521.8
(8) Dry and cracked foot skin36283.27316.8
(9) Those with diabetic foot history or diabetic ulcers in opposite extremity42397.2122.8
(10) Infection (redness, tenderness, and temperature increase are present in foot)42397.2122.8
(11) Traumas (barefoot walking, bad shoes, accident, foreign body in shoes)38789.04811.0
(12) Foot deformity (mallet toes, claw toes, hallux valgus, amputation, Charcot deformity, low foot, etc.)37786.75813.3
(13) Smoking40492.9317.1
(14) Obesity39390.3429.7
(15) Age of 65 and over37786.75813.3
(16) Patients not trained in diabetic foot40793.6286.4

FOOT EXAMINATION

(1) Foot skin (color change, edema-atrophy, dryness, crack, callus, ulcer, etc.) is evaluated.42898.471.6
(2) Color control (pale, cyanosis, red) is made.43499.810.2
(3) Temperature control (temperature, coldness) is made.42597.7102.3
(4) Presence of neuropathy in foot (pain, tingling, burning, tenderness, sensory loss) is evaluated.42697.992.1
(5) Muscle functions (atrophy due to motor damage in the muscles) are assessed.36784.46815.6
(6) Circulatory control (foot is pale and cyanosis) is made.42697.992.1
(7) Presence of ulcer on foot (temperature increase in foot, redness, edema, and tenderness) is evaluated.43199.140.9
(8) Presence of deformity (hammer finger, claw, hallux valgus, amputation, Charcot deformity, low foot, etc.) is evaluated.38287.85312.2
(9) Toenails (thickening, ingrowth, and length in the nails) are controlled.39290.1439.9
(10) Shoe suitability is assessed.40793.6286.4

APPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTING FOOT COMPLICATIONS

(1) Feet should be checked every day by the patient or a relative by eye, hand, and mirror (callus, crack, redness, bulla, open wound, etc.).43098.951.1
(2) Feet should be washed with warm water every day.41495.2214.8
(3) The water temperature used for washing feet should be checked.42196.8143.2
(4) Feet, especially spaces between toes, should be dried very well after each wash.42497.5112.5
(5) Moisturizing cream should be applied to feet.40593.1306.9
(6) Moisturizing cream should be applied to spaces between toes.11326.032274.0
(7) Toes should be kept dry to protect from fungal growth.42597.7102.3
(8) Cutting tools and chemicals should not be used to remove calluses or hardened skin areas.41595.4204.6
(9) Callus and skin stiffness should be thinned with a pumice stone.34880.08720.0
(10) Exercise in the form of twisting and stretching toes several times a day should be done to prevent foot corn and callus formation.38388.05212.0
(11) There is no inconvenience to use callus band and plaster12729.230870.8
(12) Only socks should be worn to warm feet.39791.3388.7
(13) Direct heat sources (radiators, hot-water bottle, electrical appliances, etc.) should be used to warm feet.21649.721950.3
(14) Socks should not be torn, wrinkled, or oversized.41595.4204.6
(15) Socks should be checked for wetness and color darkness.41695.6194.4
(16) Socks should be changed every day.42597.7102.3
(17) Rubber socks preventing circulation should not be worn.42597.7102.3
(18) Wool socks should be worn in winter and mercerized socks should be worn in summer.39891.5378.5
(19) Walking with bare feet should not occur.40693.3296.7
(20) Pressure on feet should be removed by not standing for long periods.42297.0133.0
(21) Legs should not be crossed when sitting on a chair.40793.6286.4
(22) If there is clawing of toes, massage should not be done to prevent joint stiffness.8319.135280.9
(23) Toenails should be controlled in terms of thickening, ingrowth, and length.42096.6153.4
(24) Toenails should be cut flat.39490.6419.4
(25) Skin around toenails should not be cut.41996.3163.7
(26) The thickened nails should be cut with a special scissors after they are softened in warm water.41495.2214.8
(27) Blind patients must never cut their own toes.42297.0133.0
(28) The nails should be cut round.19043.724556.3
(29) Any changes to feet and toes (color, temperature, or shape) and signs of infection should be reported to the doctor immediately.42297.0133.0
(30) Foot exercises should be done every day to help circulation.41094.3255.7
(31) In case of any foot lesion, only shoes should be replaced to reduce the load on feet.8720.034880.0
(32) Smoking is strictly forbidden since it will reduce the amount of blood going to feet.42397.2122.8

FOOTWARE SELECTION

(1) Shoes should fit and grasp feet.41695.6194.4
(2) Soft-skinned and comfortable shoes should be preferred.41795.9184.1
(3) Shoes should be checked for foreign bodies such as nail, gravel, etc. before each wear.41495.2214.8
(4) Shoes should be worn without socks.19845.523754.5
(5) If shoe insoles are worn off, they should be replaced.41194.5245.5
(6) Shoes should not lose its exterior protection feature.39791.3388.7
(7) Shoes should be painted frequently.29567.814032.2
(8) New shoes should be worn by allowing feet to get used to them.40593.1306.9
(9) High-heeled shoes tapering forward should be preferred.21148.522451.5
(10) If there is a deformity in the foot, a doctor should be consulted for proper treatment or orthopedic shoes.42196.8143.2

Note: the correct answers were indicated by using bold font for “n”.