Module 12: finger stick capillary blood glucose testing

Question 1

Diabetes mellitus

Answer 1

The body cannot use glucose normally to meet the energy needs of the body; disease common in older people

Question 2

2 forms of diabetes

Answer 2

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (type 1)

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (type2)

Question 3

IDDM (type 1) signs and symptoms

Answer 3

Abrupt onset, excess thirst (polydipsia), excess urine elimination (polyuria), excessive hunger (polyphagia), sugar in the urine (glycosuria), excess blood sugar (hyperglycemia); more difficult form to control; require regular injections of insulin, regulation of food intake, and regular exercise

Question 4

NIDDM (type 2) signs and symptoms

Answer 4

“old-age” diabetes; fatiguing easily, skin infections, slow healing, itching, burning on urination, pain in fingers and toes, vision changes. Therapy consists of diet control, weight loss, exercise, medication

Question 5

Complications of diabetes

Answer 5

renal disease, vision changes, cardiovascular damage, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia

Question 6

Vision changes

Answer 6

common in long-term diabetes; complications include glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis proliferans, blindness

Question 7

Cardiovascular damage

Answer 7

Can be consequences of hypoglycemia (insulin shock) and hyperglycemia (diabetic coma); May include heart attacks, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, amputation. Vascular changes can interfere with normal circulation to hands and feet

Question 8

Hyperglycemia (diabetic coma)

Answer 8

occurs when too little insulin is available for metabolic needs; sugar and acid compounds (ketones) build up in blood (DKA); develops slowly, usually over 24 hours; signs and symptoms: gradual onset, drowsiness, deep, difficult breathing, nausea, hot flushed dry skin, mental confusion, loss of consciousness, sweet odor to breath. Treatment: insulin and fluids, intravenously. Can be brought on by stress, illness, injury, or curtailed activity

Question 9

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Answer 9

sugar and acid compounds (ketones) build up in blood; can lead to death; sugar and ketones then spill over into urine

Question 10

Hypoglycemia (insulin shock)

Answer 10

Low blood sugar; less common when medication are given orally than when insulin is injected; Can be brought on by not eating snacks, unusual activity, stress, vomiting, diarrhea. Signs and symptoms: sudden onset, nervousness, shallow breathing, hunger, sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, erratic behavior, staggering gait, mental confusion, disorientation, pale/moist skin, loss of consciousness; treated with sugar in some form

Question 11

Treatment of diabetes

Answer 11

3 factors must be balanced: diet, exercise, drugs

Question 12

Post-prandial blood sugars (PPBS)

Answer 12

collected exactly two hours after the patient finishes eating.

Question 13

Fingerstick blood sugar (FSBS)

Answer 13

checked by collecting a sample of capillary blood with a lacet

Question 14

Normal blood sugar values

Answer 14

range between 65-120; normal values 70-110. Below 70 suggest hypoglycemia, above 110 suggest hyperglycemia