Diabetic emergencies

Question 1

Hypoglycaemia

Answer 1

refers to dangerously low blood glucose levels, it is an acute complication of diabetes + occurs in individuals who use insulin or specific kinds of oral diabetes medication.

Question 2

Hyperglycaemia

Answer 2

refers to chronically high blood glucose levels

Question 3

Signs (hypo)

Answer 3

cold clammy skin, trembling, lack of coordination, fatigue, blurred vision, headache, dizzy, confusion, irritability, nausea, stomach pain, fainting + unconsciousness

Question 4

Signs (hyper)

Answer 4

increased thirst + urination, sweet odour to the breathe, agitation + confusion

Question 5

Causes (hypo)

Answer 5

by sugar levels dropping below normal, missing a meal or medication, drinking too much alcohol or on an empty stomach

Question 6

Causes (hyper)

Answer 6

by blood sugar levels becoming too high it is caused by too much food, reduced activity or missed insulin

Question 7

Action (hypo)

Answer 7

give sugar lumps, chocolate biscuits, glucose drink, anything with a high sugar content
the pt may go home if recovered + accompanied but their GP should be informed + they should not drive

Question 8

Action (hyper)

Answer 8

drink plenty of sugar free fluids + contact a diabetes healthcare team or emergency services