A patient who has diabetes mellitus says to a nurse, "I've had difficulty swallowing and have felt nauseous for months. I have been taking milk of magnesia every day for constipation, too." A nurse should recognize these statements as likely being indicative of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Difficulty swallowing and nausea are common symptoms of gastroparesis, which is a type of autonomic neuropathy that can occur in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Milk of magnesia use suggests chronic constipation, which is also common with gastroparesis. Manifestations related to the aging process, retinopathy, and nephropathy would not typically present with these specific symptoms.

A Patient Who Has Diabetes Mellitus Says to a Nurse