The main purpose of this report is to describe the nursing experience of caring for a diabetic patient who presented with symptoms of hyperglycemia and cellulitis of the lower extremities. All data were collected by observation of both the nursing staff and family including 11 items of Gordon's Functional Health Pattern Model. Three nursing issues were found to be related to poor prognosis and complications. These were poor compliance, malnutrition and defective skin integrity. The conditions were subsequently improved by providing appropriate nursing care, health education and using food models to ensure the patient had a better understanding of the importance of controlling calorie intake. After two weeks of medical and nursing intervention, the wound of the lower extremities healed and sugar levels were within satisfactory limits. The patient was thereafter transferred to the case manager and was followed up regularly.