Hypoglycemia Flashcards
What is the blood glucose concentration threshold for treatment guidelines?
Less than 3.5 mmol/litre
How much glucose should be administered orally if the patient is conscious?
10-20 g of glucose PO
What is the IV glucose dosage for adults?
100 ml of 10% glucose IV
What is the IV glucose dosage for children?
2 ml/kg of 10% glucose IV
What should be administered if IV access cannot be gained?
Glucagon
What is the dose of glucagon for patients aged five years and over?
1 mg of glucagon IM
What is the dose of glucagon for children aged less than five years?
0.5 mg of glucagon IM
How often should glucose measurements be repeated?
Every ten minutes
What is the minimum blood glucose concentration required ten minutes after treatment?
Greater than 3.5 mmol/litre
What criteria must be met for a patient to not require ambulance transport after hypoglycaemia treatment?
All of the following must be met:
* Known diabetes
* Isolated single episode
* Not due to overdose of insulin or oral hypoglycaemics
* Fully recovers and can mobilise normally
* Blood glucose > 3.5 mmol/litre after treatment
* Competent adult can stay with patient for 4 hours
* Patient eats a meal
* Given hypoglycaemia information sheet
What should happen if a patient under 18 years old is recently diagnosed with diabetes?
Treatment review should occur within 24 hours if feasible
What are common causes of hypoglycaemia?
Usually occurs in patients taking:
* Insulin
* Oral hypoglycaemic medicine
Less common causes include:
* Severe sepsis
* Poisoning with glucose-lowering medicines
* Liver failure
What should not be used to measure blood glucose concentration?
The patient’s glucose meter
What type of blood should be used for measuring glucose concentration?
Capillary blood
What is the recommended form of oral glucose for hypoglycaemia treatment?
Simple carbohydrate that is rapidly absorbed
Give examples of oral glucose sources.
- 10% glucose
- Glucose tablets or gel
- Sugar dissolved in water
- ‘Non-diet’ jam
- ‘Non-diet’ soft drinks
How much glucose is approximately in half a cup of ‘non-diet’ fruit juice?
10-20 g of glucose
What should be documented after administering oral glucose?
Approximate grams of oral glucose or description of food ingested
How can glucose gel be administered to a baby or small child?
Spread on gums, tongue, and inside of cheeks
Why is it important for the patient to eat a meal after glucose treatment?
To prevent hypoglycaemia from recurring as glucose is metabolised
What type of carbohydrates are preferred for the meal after hypoglycaemia treatment?
Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole grain bread, porridge, or beans
In what circumstance would glucagon be ineffective
If patient has no glycogen stores such as in young children, has sepsis or haven’t eaten in over 12 hours
Hypoglycaemia in children under the age of five is more likely due too
Illness with no food intake, sepsis or poisoning with hypoglycaemic medications
