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The purpose of this study was to describe heart failure patient's abilities to manage their disease. A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. A convenient sample of 120 adult patients with heart failure was surveyed using Self-Management of Heart Failure Tool as well as, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification to measure their functional status. The findings of this study showed that sixty percent of patient's age ranged from 50 to less than 60 years. Men accounted for 66.7 % of the patient population and 33.3% were women. Most participants were married. The study revealed that recognizing a change in signs and symptoms was positively correlated with both implementing and evaluating treatment with statistical significance. In addition the results showed the statistical significant differences between levels of patients' education and both implementing and evaluating treatment. Finally, statistically significant differences were found between functional status of patients and their ability to recognize change as well as evaluate treatment. Findings of this study highlight the need for using the self management heart failure tool in practice to direct the medical and nursing staff towards the specific problem area for each patient.

Foot-related disease is the most common cause of hospital admissions among the diabetic population. Diabetic foot ulcer-related morbidity could be ultimately prevented by positive patients" interpretation of peripheral neuropathy and active engagement in foot self-care. Objective: To identify the association between patient interpretation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and foot self-care behaviors. Methods: A convenience sample of 121 adult diabetic patients with either type I or II diabetes were recruited from diabetic clinic at Gamal Abdel Nasar Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. Four tools were used in the research study (Bio Sociodemographic Sheet, Modified Neuropathy Disability Score, Patient Interpretation Neuropathy (PIN) Questionnaire, and Foot Self-Care Behaviors Questionnaire). Results: More than a third of patients have moderate peripheral neuropathy. Patients with no past history of foot ulcer obtained higher mean score of illness identity and causes. These differences were found to be highly statistically significant. The severity of peripheral neuropathy greatly affected patients" interpretation of peripheral neuropathy. The findings also indicated that there are significant differences between patients" foot self-care behaviors and their interpretation of peripheral neuropathy. Patients who have adequate foot self-care obtained higher mean score than those with inadequate foot self-care behaviors related to all items of peripheral neuropathy interpretations except items related to illness identity and causes. Conclusion:The results highlight the importance of assessment and understanding patients" interpretation of peripheral neuropathy to promote foot self-care behavior and prevent diabetic foot complications.