Hypglycemia Flashcards
What is Whipple’s triad?
Blood glucose <70mg/dl
Sx of hypoglycemia
S/s resolve with glucose elevation
What is the range of glucose levels that sx begin and impairment of brain function?
Sx begin at 60mg/dl
Brain function is affected at 50mg/dl
What are the 2 principal types of hypoglycemia?
Fasting and postprandial
How does fasting hypoglycemia manifest?
Either subacute or chronic with neuroglycopenia as principal manifestation
How does postprandial hypoglycemia manifest?
Acute with sx of neurogenic autonomic d/c (sweating, palpitations, anxiety and tremulousness)
What are the broad categories of hypoglycemic manifestations?
Neuroglycopenic
Sympathomimetic
Why and how does neuroglycopenia manifest?
Decline of serum sugar, manifests with alterations of consciousness, lethargy, confusion, combativeness, agitation and unresponsiveness
Why and how does sympathomimetic hypoglycemia manifest?
Rapid fall in glucose level causes secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine
Sx include anxiety, nervousness, irritability, nausea, vomiting, palpitations and tremor
What kind of hypoglycemia is common after GI surgery?
Postprandial hypoglycemia
What lab should be done for hypoglycemia?
Finger stick blood glucose
If a hypoglycemic patient has no altered mental status, how would you treat?
Eat or drink
A patient unable to eat or drink due to altered mental status, what is the treatment?
Glucagon 0.5mg or 1mg SC/IM
50% dextrose 50-100ml IV bolus
Why would a patient with hypoglycemia be MEDEVAC’d?
Continued or recurrent altered mental status, recurrent hypoglycemia or downward trend in glucose after therapy
