Hypoglycaemia

Question 1

If a patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, what may be noticed during assessment of airway?

Answer 1

initially the patient will be talking, this will stop as they lose consciousness

Question 2

If a patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, what may be noticed during assessment of breathing?

Answer 2

initially breathing rate will increase

Question 3

If a patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, what may be noticed during assessment of circulation?

Answer 3

initially heart rate will increase

Question 4

If a patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, what may be noticed during assessment of disability?

Answer 4

initially the patient will be alert but may become unconscious

Question 5

If a patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, what may be noticed during assessment of exposure?

Answer 5

the patient will be irritable, confused, pale, dizzy, hungry and have blurred vision

Question 6

How can hypoglycaemia be treated in practice?

Answer 6

• glucose
  
  • sugary food or drink
• glucagon injection

Question 7

What quantity glucagon should be injected for a hypoglycaemic patient?

Answer 7

1mg

Question 8

What is the function of glucagon?

Answer 8

• increases the concentration of blood glucose
  
  • promotes gluconeogenesis
  • promotes glycogenolysis
  • converts glycogen to glucose

Question 9

What is a normal blood glucose reading for a type 1 diabetic?

Answer 9

5-7mmol/l

Question 10

At what blood glucose reading would a type 1 diabetic likely be unconscious?

Answer 10

below 3mmol/l

Question 11

What determines whether a hypoglycaemic patient receives glucose or glucagon?

Answer 11

whether they are conscious and cooperative or not

Question 12

If a hypoglycaemic patient is conscious and cooperative, what should they be provided with?

Answer 12

• 10-20mg oral glucose
• sugary drink

Question 13

If a hypoglycaemic patient is unconscious and uncooperative, what should they be provided with?

Answer 13

• 1mg IM glucagon injection
• oral glucose on regaining consciousness

Question 14

How should IM glucagon be prepared?

Answer 14

• inject diluting solution into vial
  
  • vial contains glucagon powder
• swirl vial
  
  • do not shake as causes foaming
• draw solution back into syringe

Question 15

What technique should be used to administer IM glucagon?

Answer 15

• Z track technique
  
  • spread skin
  • advance needle in skin at 90 degrees
  • aspirate
  • inject for 30 secs
  • pull out
  • release tension