Treat and Refer - Hypoglycaemia Flashcards
Who is the Hypoglycaemia treat and refer guideline targeted at?
Adult patients with diagnosed diabetes who have fully recovered from an episode of hypoglycaemia and have consumed oral carbohydrates.
Why is there an increased risk if leaving a pt at home who takes oral diabetic medications?
Long duration of action, increased risk of recurrent hypo.
What reasons might cause a pt without diabetes to have a hypoglycaemic episode?
- Drug/alcohol overdose
- Liver/endocrine disease
- Tumour
- Sepsis
- Malnourishment
What are some appropriate glucose options for the pt to take in future hypo’s?
6-7 jelly beans, 1 tbsp of honey, a cup of fruit juice.
Within what timeframe should the pt contact their diabetes provider about their hypo?
24hrs
What are the contraindications for Treat and Referring a hypo?
- Incomplete recovery to normal conscious state
- Risk of prolonged or recurrent hypoglycaemia
- Unwitnessed onset/prolonged episode
- Oral hypoglycaemic meds
- Overdose on medication (intentional/accidental)
- Unable/unwilling to eat carbohydrates
- Unable to be monitored by adult for >4hrs - No diagnosis of diabetes
- Suspected causes requires further investigation
- Injury or seizure sustained
- Pregnancy
If a hypoglycaemic pt is being treat and referred, what is the management?
- Provide pt with health info sheet
- Refer pt to usual diabetes PCP within 24hrs
- Confirm BGL >4, and pt remains GCS15 at least 10 minutes after last treatment.
- Remove IV if cannula required
- Confirm pt understands advice given