20. Hypoglycaemia

Question 1

Outline the aetiology of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 1

Overdose of subcut insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drug

Gastric dumping syndrome

Decompensated liver disease

Tumour = that produces insulin

Adrenal insufficiency = bloods (low Na, high K, low cortisol), ACTH

Beta-blockers

Question 2

What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 2

Sweating

Tingling lips

Tingling extremities

Tremor

Dizziness

Slurred speech

Pallor

Confusion

Tachycardia

Tachypnoea

Question 3

How would you investigate hypoglycaemia?

Answer 3

A-E assessment = BM

Assess for liver disease

Assess nutritional intake

C-peptide level = in a pt that doesn’t take insulin, does not rise in presence of exogenous insulin (insulinoma)

Question 4

How would you manage hypoglycaemia?

Answer 4

Conscious = oral glucose (10g GlucoGel or 120ml Lucozade), monitor BM every 1-2hrs, ensure pt eats complex carbs (bread). If no improvement IV glucose 1L 10% over 8hrs

Unconscious = protect airway, high flow O2, IV 100ml 20% glucose stat, if any delay obtaining IV access 1mg IM glucagon. When consciousness returns 1L 10% glucose over 8 hrs

Question 5

What are the complications of hypoglycaemia?

Answer 5

LOC

Seizures

DKA

Death