Patients at greatest risk for developing serious foot problems include those with: (Select all that apply. )

A) peripheral neuropathy.
B) peripheral vascular disease.
C) pancreatitis.
D) diabetes.

Patients at greatest risk for developing serious foot problems are those with peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease.These two disorders,commonly found in patients with diabetes,cause reduction in blood flow to the extremities and loss of sensory,motor,and autonomic nerve function.As a result,the patient is unable to feel heat and cold,pain,pressure,and the position of the foot.This reduction in blood flow impairs healing and promotes risk for infection.