UNIT 5 HYPOGLYCEMIA CHAPTER 59

Question 1

Signs and Symptoms of Hypoglycemia

Answer 1

EARLY SIGNS

Peripheral autonomic symptoms,
including sweating,
irritability,
tremors,
anxiety, tachycardia,
and hunger,
cold skin
clammy skin

LATE SIGNS
serve as an early warning system and occur before the symptoms of confusion,
paralysis,
seizure, and
coma occur from brain glucose deprivation.

Question 2

Which of the following Blood glucose is inactive of hypoglycemia?
A. 109
B. 99
C. 61
D. 76

Answer 2

C. 61

Normal blood glucose levels are 70 -110

Question 3

mild hypoglycemia management

Answer 3

For mild hypoglycemia (hungry, irritable, shaky, weak, headache, fully conscious; blood glucose usually less than 70 mg/dL [3.9 mmol/L]):
* Treat the symptoms of hypoglycemia with 15 g of carbohydrate. You may use one of these:
* Glucose tablets or glucose gel (dosage is printed on the package) * A half cup (120 mL) of fruit juice or of regular (nondiet) soft drink * 8 ounces (240 mL) of skim milk
* 6 to 10 hard candies
* 4 cubes of sugar or 4 teaspoons of sugar
* 6 saltines
* 3 graham crackers
* 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of honey or syrup
* Retest blood glucose in 15 minutes.
* Repeat this treatment if glucose remains less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L).
Symptoms may persist after blood glucose has normalized.
* Eat a small snack of carbohydrate and protein if your next meal is more
than an hour away.

Question 4

moderate hypoglycemia management

Answer 4

For moderate hypoglycemia (cold, clammy skin; pale; rapid pulse; rapid,
shallow respirations; marked change in mood; drowsiness; blood glucose usually less than 40 mg/dL [2.2 mmol/L]):
* Treat the symptoms of hypoglycemia with 30 g of rapidly absorbed carbohydrate.
* Retest glucose in 15 minutes.
* Repeat treatment if glucose is less than 60 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L).
* Eat additional food, such as low-fat milk, after 10 to 15 minutes.

Question 5

severe hypoglycemia management

Answer 5

For severe hypoglycemia (unable to swallow; unconsciousness or convulsions; blood glucose usually less than 20 mg/dL [1.0 mmol/L]):
* Treatment administered by family members:
* Give prescribed dose of glucagon as intramuscular or subcutaneous
injection.
* Give a second dose in 10 minutes if the person remains unconscious.
* Notify the diabetes health care provider immediately and follow instructions.
* If still unconscious, transport the person to the emergency department.
* Give a small meal when the person wakes up and is no longer nauseated.

Question 6

Prevention strategies of Hypoglycemia

Answer 6

Prevention Strategies
Teach the patient how to prevent hypoglycemia by avoiding its four common causes: (1) excess insulin, (2) deficient intake or absorption of food, (3) exercise when insulin action is peaking, and (4) alcohol intake.
Insulin excess from variable absorption of insulin can cause hypoglycemia even when insulin is injected correctly. Differences in insulin formulation can result in hypoglycemia.
Deficient food intake from inadequate or incorrectly timed meals can result in hypoglycemia. Educate about the importance of regular timing and quantity of food eaten, especially carbohydrates.
Exercise often causes blood glucose levels to fall. Prolonged exercise increases muscle glucose uptake for several hours after exercise. Teach the patient about blood glucose monitoring and carbohydrate consumption before and during exercise (if necessary). Also teach him or her to exercise at times when insulin activity is not peaking.
Alcohol inhibits liver glucose production and leads to hypoglycemia. It interferes with the hormone response to hypoglycemia and impairs glycogen breakdown. Instruct the patient to ingest alcohol only with or

Question 7

are older patients at risk for hypoglycemia

Answer 7

yes

Older patients are at increased risk for hypoglycemia. Age-related declines in kidney function reduce the elimination of sulfonylureas and insulin, thus potentiating their hypoglycemic effects. Older adults have reduced epinephrine and glucagon release in response to low blood glucose levels and often have hypoglycemic unawareness. The presence of impaired motor skills when glucose is low reduces the ability to take steps to return glucose levels to normal.

Instruct the older patient’s family to check blood glucose values when symptoms such as unsteadiness, light-headedness, poor concentration, trembling, or sweating occur (Touhy & Je , 2020). Remind them to make sure that sufficient foods are eaten at appropriate times. Encourage a patient with a poor appetite to eat a small snack at bedtime to prevent hypoglycemia during the night.

Question 8

Risk factors for Hypoglycemia

Answer 8

 Insulin excess
 Deficient food intake
 Exercise
 Alcohol - alcohol decreases blood glucose levels

Question 9

What to do incase a patient experiences a hypoglycemic episode.

Answer 9

• Hypoglycemia is considered an
  emergent situation because it
  progressive quickly if there are no
  interventions. A client can lose
  consciousness and suffer adverse
  effects
• Follow the facilities protocol for
  hypoglycemia
• Continue to monitor even after
  interventions to make sure the client is
  stable back at baseline
• Make sure IV is patent
• Notify Physician

Question 10

What dangerous things can occur when a patient is experiencing a hypoglycemic episode

Answer 10

Lead to seizures
* Decreased glucose
supply of the brain

Question 11

medical management of hypoglycemia

Answer 11

Medications
* Glucose tablets
* Glucagon
* Glucose IV infusion
* Meal Plan
* Alcohol /diabetic connection
* Management of Plan