# A 68-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy is being taught foot self-care before discharge from a diabetes education clinic. The client has intact skin, no ulcers, and reduced sensation to monofilament testing bilaterally. The nurse evaluates the teaching session. Which statements indicate correct understanding of daily foot care? Select all that apply. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=558431&lang=en > language: en > subject: Medical Emergencies > category: PA ## Question A 68-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy is being taught foot self-care before discharge from a diabetes education clinic. The client has intact skin, no ulcers, and reduced sensation to monofilament testing bilaterally. The nurse evaluates the teaching session. Which statements indicate correct understanding of daily foot care? Select all that apply. 1 I will check my feet every day, including between my toes, using a mirror to see the bottoms. 2 I will wash my feet daily with lukewarm water and dry them completely, especially between the toes. 3 I will apply moisturizing lotion to the tops and soles of my feet but keep it away from between my toes. 4 I will trim my toenails in a curved shape to match the natural curve of my toes. 5 I will check the inside of my shoes for pebbles or debris only when my feet start to hurt. 6 I will choose shoes with a snug, pointed toe box because they look best with my outfits. ## Explanation Effective diabetic foot self-care teaching shows that the client can compensate for diminished protective sensation and prevent unnoticed injury. Correct behaviors include daily visual inspection using a mirror for hard-to-see areas, washing with lukewarm water followed by thorough drying between the toes, and moisturizing intact skin while avoiding the web spaces. Statements suggesting the client will rely on pain to trigger shoe checks, will trim nails to follow the toe's curve, or will choose restrictive footwear for cosmetic reasons reveal gaps in understanding, since each practice could allow unnoticed trauma, ingrown nails, or pressure injury. The nurse should reinforce sensation-independent, protective habits rather than comfort- or appearance-based choices for a client with peripheral neuropathy. ## In-depth explanation Correct Answer Choices 1, 2, 3 Clinical Reasoning Effective diabetic foot self-care teaching shows that the client can compensate for diminished protective sensation and prevent unnoticed injury. Correct behaviors include daily visual inspection using a mirror for hard-to-see areas, washing with lukewarm water followed by thorough drying between the toes, and moisturizing intact skin while avoiding the web spaces. Statements suggesting the client will rely on pain to trigger shoe checks, will trim nails to follow the toe's curve, or will choose restrictive footwear for cosmetic reasons reveal gaps in understanding, since each practice could allow unnoticed trauma, ingrown nails, or pressure injury. The nurse should reinforce sensation-independent, protective habits rather than comfort- or appearance-based choices for a client with peripheral neuropathy. Option Review - Correct — Daily visual inspection, including between the toes and on the soles, allows early detection of skin breakdown or injury that this client may not feel because of neuropathy. - Correct — Washing with lukewarm water rather than hot water or prolonged soaking, then drying thoroughly between the toes, prevents burns, maceration, and fungal infection that reduced sensation could mask. - Correct — Moisturizing intact skin keeps it supple and less prone to cracking, while avoiding the web spaces limits excess moisture that promotes fungal growth and breakdown. - Incorrect — Trimming nails in a curved shape that follows the toe contour raises the risk of ingrown nails and skin injury; nails should instead be trimmed straight across. - Incorrect — Waiting for pain to prompt a shoe check is unsafe because diminished sensation means the client may not feel a foreign object causing pressure injury before it worsens. - Incorrect — Selecting snug or pointed-toe shoes for appearance increases friction and pressure on the toes, raising the risk of blisters or ulcers in skin that cannot signal early discomfort. Sources 12026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan 2CDC: Your Feet and Diabetes ## Clinical scenario A 68-year-old client with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy is completing discharge teaching on daily foot self-care after a diabetes education clinic visit; the client's skin is intact with no ulcers, but monofilament testing shows reduced sensation bilaterally. ## Related questions - [A nurse is caring for an alert adult client with type 1 diabetes who reports tremors, swea…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=360524&lang=en) - [A 58-year-old client arrives at the emergency department with crushing substernal chest pa…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=362976&lang=en) - [A 72-year-old client is brought to the emergency department by family who report that the …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363003&lang=en) - [A 79-year-old client is admitted from a long-term care facility with diarrhea, decreased o…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363089&lang=en) - [A 68-year-old client is admitted to the emergency department with suspected sepsis from a …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363987&lang=en) - [A nurse is caring for an adult client in the emergency department who is suspected to have…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363993&lang=en) - [A nurse is teaching a 72-year-old client with chronic heart failure (reduced ejection frac…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366202&lang=en) - [A nurse is caring for an adult client admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. 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