Chapter 19 Endocrine and Hematologic Emergencies

Question 1

The main function of the endocrine system is to _____.

Answer 1

Maintain homeostasis

Question 2

A patient with an altered mental status; high blood glucose levels; and deep, rapid breathing may have a condition known as _____.

Answer 2

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Question 3

A patient with hypoglycemia will often present with what signs and symptoms?

Answer 3

Pale, cool, clammy skin
Stroke-like symptoms
Altered mental status

Question 4

The two main types of cells contained in the blood are called _____.

Answer 4

Erythrocytes (RBCs) and leukocytes (WBCs)

Question 5

The brain requires _____ as much as it requires oxygen.

Answer 5

Glucose

Question 6

A 37-year- old with a history of diabetes presents with excessive urination and weakness of 2 days’ duration. Her blood glucose level reads 320 mg/dL. If the patient’s condition is not promptly treated, she will most likely develop:

Answer 6

Acidosis and dehydration

Question 7

In contrast to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes:

Answer 7

Is caused by resistance to insulin at the cellular level

Developd later in life

Question 8

The EMT should assess for hypoglycemia in small children with a severe illness or injury because:

Answer 8

Children cannot store excess glucose as effectively as adults

Question 9

Classic signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Answer 9

Cool, clammy skin
Weakness
Tachycardia
Rapid respirations
Strokelike symptoms

Question 10

A 75-year-old male with type 1 diabetes presents with chest pain and a general feeling of weakness. He tells you that he took his insulin today and ate a regular meal approximately 2 hours ago. You should treat this patient as though he is experiencing:

Answer 10

A heart attack

Question 11

DELETE

Answer 11

Open and maintain her airway and assess her breathing

Question 12

What is the proper procedure for administering oral glucose?

Answer 12

Patient is alert and oriented
Clear airway
1g per 1kg of body weight

Question 13

In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are abnormally shaped and are less likely to contain _____.

Answer 13

Oxygen

Question 14

A 66-year-old women experienced a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She has a history of type 2 diabetes and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). On the basis of her medical history, what should the EMT suspect?

Answer 14

A pulmonary embolism

Question 15

During your assessment of a 19-year-old male, you are told that he is being treated with factor VIII. This indicates that:

Answer 15

He has hemophilia A

Question 16

What is a condition that a diabetic person is at an increased risk of developing?

Answer 16

Blindness

Question 17

You are treating a 40-year-old male with a documented blood sugar reading of 480 mg/dL. The patient is semiconscious and breathing shallowly, and is receiving assisted ventilation from your partner. You should recognize that definitive treatment for this patient includes:

Answer 17

Insulin

Question 18

Symptomatic hypoglycemia will most likely develop if a patient:

Answer 18

Takes too much of his or her prescribed insulin

Takes insulin without eating

Question 19

The normal blood glucose level is between:

Answer 19

80 and 120 mg/dL

Question 20

Excessive eating caused by cellular “hunger” is called:

Answer 20

Polyphagia

Question 21

The accumulation of ketones and fatty acids in the blood tissue can lead to a dangerous condition known as:

Answer 21

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Question 22

The onset of hypoglycemia can occur within:

Answer 22

Minutes

Question 23

Blood glucose levels are measured in:

Answer 23

Milligrams per deciliter

Question 24

Type 1 diabetes is considered to be a(n) _____ problem, in which the body becomes allergic to its own tissues and literally destroys them.

Answer 24

Autoimmune

Question 25

What is the name of the chemical produced by a gland that regulates body organs?

Answer 25

Hormones

Question 26

What hormone enables glucose to enter the cells?

Answer 26

Insulin

Question 27

Which form of diabetes usually starts in childhood and requires insulin?

Answer 27

Type 1 diabetes

Question 28

Which form of diabetes has an onset later in life and may be controlled by diet and oral medication?

Answer 28

Type 2 diabetes

Question 29

What is sickle cell disease?

Answer 29

An inherited disease that affects red blood cells

Sickle shaped

Question 30

What is hemophilia?

Answer 30

A disorder that causes an inability to develop blood clots

Question 31

What is thrombophilia?

Answer 31

A tendency to develop blood clots

Question 32

Define insulin shock

Answer 32

Severe hypoglycemia resulting in an overflow of insulin in the blood

Question 33

Define diabetic coma

Answer 33

Unconsciousness in a diabetic person as a result of hypoglycemia

Question 34

Where specifically in the pancreas is insulin produced?

Answer 34

Islets of langerhans

Question 35

What does hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes patients lead to?

Answer 35

Ketoacidosis with dehydration from excess urination

Question 36

What does hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients lead to?

Answer 36

Nonketonic hyperosmolar state of dehydration from discharge of fluids all over the body

Question 37

Define hyperosmolarity

Answer 37

Very concentrated blood as a result of dehydration

Question 38

What does DVT stand for

Answer 38

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Question 39

Who are at increased risk for DVT?

Answer 39

Sedentary patients

Patients who’ve had a recent injury or surgery