Complications Flashcards
Diabetic foot exam should include:
Inspection for injury, skin breakdown, etc.
Check foot pulses
LOPS
LOPS test
Loss of protective sensation
Test with 10 gram monofilament on foot for feeling
LOPS test options
Vibration
Pinprick
Ankle reflexes-vibration
Perception
Severe hypoglycemia is defined as:
Level at which patient requires assistance of another person to treat symptoms
Type of diabetes that is risk factor for severe hypoglycemia:
Type 1 Diabetes, because normal glucagon response to low blood sugar diminishes, resulting in increased risk for hypoglycemic unawareness.
Why do recurrent hypoglycemic events create extra risk for severe hypoglycemia?
Brain adapts to previous hypoglycemia by shifting the sympathetic nervous system response to lower plasma concentration.
In what situation would insulin excess occur in Type 2 using insulin?
If using insulin sensitizing med at wrong time or wrong dose.
Does alcohol lead to hypoglycemia?
Yes, because it inhibits gluconeogenesis, especially if the person is in starved state.
How is hypoglycemia treated?
Ingest 15-20 grams oral carbs, then repeated in 15-20 minutes if symptoms persist or blood glucose still below 70 mg/dl
How is glucagon administered?
SubQ or IM
What are the side effects of glucagon?
Nausea, vomiting, headache
How is hypoglycemia treated with IV?
10-25 grams of 50% dextrose over 1-3 minutes
True or false: alternate site should be used for detecting hypoglycemia?
False, only fingertip should be used.
Definition of hypoglycemia:
<70 mg/dl
Dosing of oral carbohydrate by glucose level:
51-70 mg/dl is 15-20 grams
1 hour away
Examples of 15 grams carbs
4 oz fruit juice
7-8 lifesavers
8 oz Fat-free milk
1 tbsp. sugar, jelly, or honey
How much does 10 grams of oral glucose raise plasma glucose levels?
40 mg/dl over 30 minutes
Note: 20 grams raise 60 mg/dl over 45 minutes
What are the affects of fat or protein on the oral glucose treatment for hypoglycemia?
Protein doesn’t affect it. Fat may slow and prolong the glycemic response.
What is the plasma glucose range for critically ill patients?
140-180 mg/dl, with insulin not started until 180 mg/dl
Blood glucose levels for non-critically ill patients in hospital are _____ or less premeal, and random of ______ or less.
140 mg/dl premeal, and less than 180 mg/dl random.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis is defined by the following lab values:
Plasma glucose >300 mg/dl
Arterial pH < 15 mEq/l
Positive ketones
Common cause of DKA:
Infection precipitates about 40% of DKA cases, with omission of insulin on sick days as another common cause. Other reasons include MI, trauma, stress, and surgery.
True or False: a diabetic on insulin therapy who is not eating due to illness should take insulin dose as normal.
TRUE
What meds can cause DKA?
corticosteroids
Thiazides
What is the definition of DKA?
Syndrome of hyperglycemia, ketosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance caused by insulin deficiency.
DKA is most common with which type of diabetes?
Type 1
How does insulin deficiency result in DKA?
Decreased glucose uptake (Hyperglycemia)’
Excess protein degradation leading to increased hepatic glucose production
Increased action of counter-regulatory hormones, leading to production of free fatty acids that create ketones AND decreasing effectiveness of insuiln
What happens when counter regulatory hormones produce free fatty acids
The fatty acids change into ketones, which can result in acidosis when unbuffered.
How does hyperglycemia create electrolyte imbalance?
Osmotic diuresis, causing fluid loss and electrolyte depletion.
Excrete ketone bodies, leading to depletion of sodium, potassium, chloride, and fluid.
What are the 3 classic symptoms of DKA?
3 Polys:
polydipsia
polyuria
polyphagia
Symptoms of hyperglycemia include:
Blurred vision, weakness, lethargy, headache, malaise, and nausea
DKA clinical symptoms:
Dehydration (orthostatic hypotension) Abdominal symptoms (vomit/pain) Hyperventilation Acetone breath with fruity odor Hypothermia (though may have fever if infection precipitated DKA) Abdominal pain Depressed mental status