A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is seeing the nurse to review foot care. What would be a priority instruction for the nurse to give the patient?

(A) Examine feet weekly for redness, blisters, and abrasions. (B) Avoid the use of moisturizing lotions. (C) Avoid hot-water bottles and heating pads. (D) Dry feet vigorously after each bath.Answer Explanation: High-risk behaviors, such as walking barefoot, using heating pads on the feet, wearing open-toed shoes, soaking the feet, and shaving calluses, should be avoided. Socks should be worn for warmth. Feet should be examined each day for cuts, blisters, swelling, redness, tenderness, and abrasions. Lotion should be applied to dry feet but never between the toes. After a bath, the patient should gently, not vigorously, pat feet dry to avoid injury.