Endocrine Emergencies Flashcards
what is the causal difference in type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Diabetic Emergencies
Type 1; an absolute insulin deficiency
Type 2; impaired glucose secretion, peripheral insulin resistance, and increased hepatic glucose production
Diabetic Ketoacidosis has a __-__% mortality rate
3-10%
DKA; Infection, illness, pregnancy, or situational stressors can lead to ____. This creates insulin ____. In some patients, excess circulating glucose due to poor dietary management can overwhelm an already stressed system.
gluconeogenesis
insulin deficiency
Name four things that can lead to gluconeogenesis.
Infection, illness, pregnancy, or situational stressors
Insulin deficiency leads to the release of counterregulatory hormones (such as ____ and ____), which can lead to gluconeogenesis
glycogen and cortisol
After a prolonged insulin deficiency, the patient can present with four acute concurrent problems, what are they?
Hyperglycemia, dehydration, electrolyte depletion, and metabolic acidosis
Hyperglycemia increases serum ____ and leads to osmotic ____, which causes significant dehydration from urinary loses of water, and these five electrolytes
osmolarity
osmotic diuresis, which causes significant dehydration from urinary loses of water, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus
With DKA, Hyperosmolarity further impairs ____ secretion and promotes insulin ____. Without insulin, the newly liberated ____ cannot be used, further increasing the blood glucose level, urine glucose concentration, and osmotic diuresis
insulin
resistance
glucose
With DKA, The body burns ____ and ____ ____ for energy. The ensuing lipolysis causes a buildup of fatty acids, which overcomes the body’s natural buffering system and leads to ____
fats and muscle proteins
ketoacidosis
Diabetic Ketoacidosis develops over this timeframe
2 to 3 days
The presenting signs of hyperglycemia include what? (5)
polydipsia, polyuria, fatigue, weakness, and weight loss in new diabetics
Ketoacidosis can cause additional signs and symptoms including
(8)
Nausea, vomiting,
hypotension and dehydration
Sinus tachycardia (most common) and possibly dysrhythmias caused by electrolyte disturbances,
Decreased appetite, abdominal cramping
Decreased LOC
Hyperthermia
Kussmaul respirations as the respiratory system compensates for metabolic acidosis
Fruity odor on the breath, which indicates worsening acidosis
Lab tests for DKA involve:
Blood glucose usually exceeds __,
Serum osmolarity greater than __ mOsm/kg
Serum acetone titrations that are ____
Serum ____ level that is increased
For diagnosis and monitoring, expect to use serum ketone testing based on the measurement of
____-____ (the main ketoacid in acidosis), which is recommended. A level greater than __ mmol/L is considered positive
ABG analysis with a decreased PCO2 and metabolic ____
UA with increased ketone and glucose levels
250 310 positive ketone Beta-hydroxybutyrate 1.5 acidosis
____-____ is the main ketoacid in acidosis, which is recommended. A level greater than __ mmol/L is considered positive
Beta-hydroxybutyrate (the main ketoacid in acidosis), which is recommended. A level greater than 1.5 mmol/L is considered positive
what are the steps in treating DKA?
- Monitor mental status, VS, and urine output every ____ until it has improved, and then monitor q 2 to 4 hours
- Monitor ____ q 1 to 2 hours while the patient is on an insulin drip
- Check ___ q 2 to 4 hours
- Bolus 1 to 2 L of NSS over the first __ to __ hours
hour
potassium
BMP
1 to 2
When treating DKA, after initiating the intravenous fluid replacement, be prepared to administer an initial loading IV bolus of __ units/kg regular insulin followed by a continuous infusion rate of __ units/kg/hr. To prevent life threatening hypokalemia, insulin replacement should generally not be started until serum ____ is greater than greater than __ mEq/L
0.1
0.1
potassium
3.3
In treating DKA, why is it important to decrease the blood glucose level gradually?
If the blood glucose level falls too rapidly, the resulting fluid shift can lead to cerebral edema, which is associated with a higher mortality rate.
How does insulin therapy correct metabolic acidosis?
Insulin therapy generally corrects metabolic acidosis because the energy is allowed into the cells leading to decreased protein lysis and lipolysis and ultimately resolving ketoacidosis.
When treating DKA, Continue with the insulin infusion until the ___ or serum ____ level returns to normal.
pH
bicarbonate
Potassium in DKA treatment; fluid replacement dilutes the serum potassium and promotes ____. In addition, ____ ____ exacerbates total body hypokalemia. Begin potassium replacement after infusing ____ ____ ____ of IV fluid, even when the initial electrolyte levels are ____. In the first few hours after treatment starts, expect the potassium level to ____ precipitously, why?
diuresis metabolic acidosis the initial liter normal because potassium moves back to the intracellular space along with the insulin and existing glucose.
HHS stands for what?
HHS; Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
10-60% mortality rate
HHS; Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State has a __-__% mortality rate
10 - 60
HHS; Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State can result from
8
An underlying infection, acute MI, CVA, certain medications, medication and treatment noncompliance, undiagnosed diabetes, substance abuse, coexisting disease
what is the pathophysiology of Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State?
How does it cause dehydration?
How does Underlying renal disease increase the glucose level even further?
The loss of more water than sodium leads to ____
The metabolism of fat and muscle tissues as energy sources, which increases circulating fatty acid and amino acid levels
The resulting hepatic ____ compounds existing hyperglycemia
-Osmotic diuresis and an osmotic shift of fluids from the intravascular space can contribute to severe dehydration. The condition worsens because the patient cannot replace the lost fluids
-Underlying renal disease or decreased intravascular volume reduces the glomerular filtration rate and increases the glucose level even further.
hyperosmolarity
gluconeogenesis
For a patient with HHS, the SS can develop over how long?
days or weeks
How would you describe a Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State patient?
What can possibly be said about their medications?
The patient is typically over 50 and has undiagnosed diabetes mellitus that is managed by diet, oral medication, or both
The patient is likely to take a medications that aggravates the problem, such as a diuretic that causes mild dehydration
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Early SS
include decreased appetite and weight loss, polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, mental obtundation (can range from full alertness to coma), and signs of dehydration
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State later S/S
Neurologic SS, such as HA, blurred vision, confusion, decreased LOC, seizures, or coma
Tachycardia, dysrhythmias, and hypotension
Increased respirations, but without the fruity smell associated with diabetic ketoacidosis
The decreased LOC is usually what brings the patient to the hospital
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Lab results to be expected
Blood Sugar greater than __mg/dl
Serum osmolarity greater than __ mOm/kg
pH greater than __
Mild or absent ____
Elevated ___ count if there is an infection present
Normal or increased serum ____ and ____ levels, depending on the degree of dehydration
BS greater than 600mg/dl
Serum osmolarity greater than 320 mOm/kg
pH greater than 7.3
Mild or absent ketonemia
Elevated WBC count is there is an infections present
Normal or increased sodium and potassium levels, depending on the degree of dehydration (the initial sodium levels are inaccurate due to the hyperglycemia.
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Treatment generally consists of (4)
IV rehydration, electrolyte correction, administration of intravenous insulin, diagnosis and management of the underlying illness or coexisting condition
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Treatment
Fluid replacement; isotonic solution rate may be as high as __ to __ liters in the first __ hours.
Continuous reassessments
Be alert for signs of ____ overload, given that most patients are over __
Consider a ____ ____ for accurate IO
1 to 2 liters 2 hours circulatory 65 urinary catheter
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Treatment
Insulin; begin regular insulin at __ unit/kg/hr after an initial bolus.
Reduce the BS level by about __ to __ mg/dl/hr
Reductions of BS that are greater than __ an hour may cause fluid shifts and lead to ____ ____
Insulin; begin regular insulin at 0.1 unit/kg/hr after an initial bolus.
Reduce the BS level by about 50 to 70 mg/dl/hr
Reductions of BS that are greater than 100 an hour may cause fluid shifts and lead to cerebral edema
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Treatment
Ongoing; after serum osmolarity begins to normalize or the blood glucose reaches __ to __ mg/dl, expect to switch the intravenous fluid to ____ __% in __ NSS
250 to 300 mg/dl
expect to switch the intravenous fluid to dextrose 5% in 0.45 NSS
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State Treatment
ongoing
Expect to ____ the insulin infusion to between __ and __ unit/kg/hr to maintain the blood glucose level between __ and __ mg/dl until the plasma osmolarity is __ mOsm/kg or less and the patient is alert
Expect to decrease the insulin infusion to between 0.05 and 0.1 unit/kg/hr to maintain the blood glucose level between 250 and 300 mg/dl until the plasma osmolarity is 315 mOsm/kg or less and the patient is alert
Fun Quiz fact; HHS can put the patient at risk of what?
DVT
Hypoglycemia
Most common causes include
(11)
- Iatrogenic insulin effects in patients with type 1 diabetes (most common cause)
- Pancreatic tumors
- adrenal insufficiency
- sepsis
- congenital metabolic disorders
- lack of calorie intake
- increased physical stress
- liver disease
- changes in the type of insulin or oral antidiabetic agents
- pregnancy
- alcohol ingestion
Hypoglycemia
Most common causes by medications include
NSAIDS
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Thyroid hormones
Beta-blockers
Hypoglycemia
Pathophysiology
The release of ____ accounts for common signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as (9)
epinephrine 1 shakiness 2 anxiety 3 palpitations 4 sweating 5 dry mouth 6 pallor, 7 pupil 8 dilation 9 and hunger
A patient with known diabetes can usually recognize these symptoms and self treat them. However, ____-____ mask the sympathetic response, so a patient who takes a ____-____ may not recognize the onset of hypoglycemia
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers
why are the most profound S/S of hypoglycemia neurological? what S/S can be expected (8)? What can it lead to (3)?
The brain cannot store or synthesize glucose so the most profound signs are neurological
Abnormal mentation, irritability, confusion, difficulty speaking, ataxia, paresthesia, headaches, and stupor
Without treatment this Neuroglycopenia can lead to seizures, coma, and even death
Hypoglycemia treatment
Ensure a ____ ____ is intact, and administer __ to __ grams of simple carbohydrate orally.
Wait __ minutes and repeat if necessary.
gag reflex
10 to 15
Do not delay oral treatment for lab results
15
Hypoglycemia treatment
what is the treatment of choice for an unconscious patient?
To treat a lethargic or unconscious patient, be prepared to rapidly administer 25 to 50 ml of 50% dextrose intravenously as the treatment of choice.
Hypoglycemia treatment
what is the treatment of choice for an unconscious patient with no IV access?
If IV access is not possible, administer 1 mg of glucagon intramuscularly
when giving glucagon IM, what should you keep in mind?
Because glucagon commonly causes vomiting, position the patient to prevent aspiration
What should you do with a hypoglycemic patient who has an insulin pump?
stop the pump immediately