Diabetic Emergencies and Oral Glucose Administration

Question 1

Why does someone who is diabetic get sick?

Answer 1

People who are diabetic sometimes become ill because there is too much or too little sugar in their blood.

Question 2

How will you know if someone is diabetic?

Answer 2

The person may disclose that they are diabetic, or you may learn this from the information on a medical ID tag or from a bystander.

Question 3

Often, people who have diabetes know what is wrong and will ask for something with sugar if they are experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). They may carry some form of sugar with them, such as glucose tablets. What should you remember when giving someone glucose/sugar?

Answer 3

• If the person is awake and can safely swallow and follow simple commands, give them sugar. If it is available, give 15 to 20 grams of sugar in the form of glucose tablets to the victim. If not available, 15 to 20 grams of sugar from several sources can be given, including glucose- and sucrose-containing candies, jelly beans, orange juice or whole milk.
• If the person has hypoglycemia, sugar will help quickly. If the problem is high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), giving the sugar will not cause any immediate harm, but the person should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
• Give the victim a form of sugar by mouth only if the victim is awake and able to follow simple commands and safely swallow.

Question 4

When should you summon EMS personnel for a potential diabetic emergency?

Answer 4

o The person is unresponsive.

o The person is responsive but not fully awake and is unable to swallow.

o The person does not feel better within about 10 to 15 minutes after taking sugar, or gets worse.

o A form of sugar cannot be found immediately (In that event, do not spend time looking for it.)

PLEASE NOTE: GLUCOSE TABLETS ARE KEPT IN THE RED FIRST AID BAG AT RANCHO POOL.