Emergency Medical Services Program Diabetic emergencies

Diabetic emergencies LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand Diabetes Mellitus and risk factors and symptoms of Understand Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia and signs and symptoms of Learn how to use a glucometer Learn how to assist with the administration of oral glucose COMPLETE SLIDE

Unit One Diabetes Mellitus Diabetic emergencies Unit One Diabetes Mellitus COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus A condition brought about by decreased insulin production, or the inability of the body cells to use insulin properly that prevents the body’s cells from taking the simple sugar called glucose from the bloodstream. COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus Glucose Homeostasis COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus – Risk Factors Some risk factors include: Obesity Sedentary Lifestyle Family History Hypertension Low High Density Lipids (HDL) Elevated Triglycerides COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus – Signs and Symptoms Some signs and symptoms include: Frequent Urination Excessive Thirst Weight Loss Hunger Fatigue Slow Healing Wounds COMPLETE SLIDE

Unit Two Hyper and Hypo Glycemia Diabetic emergencies Unit Two Hyper and Hypo Glycemia COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) Is a condition that refers to an abnormally high level of sugar, or glucose in the blood. Normal Blood Sugar (Fasting-no food for eight hours): 70 – 99 mg/dL Normal Blood Sugar (Two hours after eating): 140 mg/dL COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) Main symptoms are: Increased Thirst Frequent Urination Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a severe elevation in blood glucose. This is a life threatening medical emergency. Symptoms include: Vomiting Confusion Fruity Odor to the breath Shortness of Breath COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) Is a condition that refers to an abnormally low level of sugar, or glucose in the blood. Normal Blood Sugar (Fasting-no food for eight hours): 70 – 99 mg/dL Normal Blood Sugar (Two hours after eating): 140 mg/dL COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) Main symptoms are: Fatigue Heart Palpitations Sweating Tingling sensation around mouth Severe Hypoglycemia can be a life threatening medical emergency. Symptoms include: Seizures Confusion/Abnormal behavior Slurring of speech/Appearance of intoxication COMPLETE SLIDE

Unit Three Glucometers and Glucose Diabetic emergencies Unit Three Glucometers and Glucose COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Glucometers A glucometer is a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. It measures in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Using the Glucometer Materials needed: Blood glucose meter Vial of test strips Lancing device Lancets PPE’s (medical gloves, eye protection) COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Using the Glucometer – Step One Place the end with the 3 contact bars into the meter. The meter will turn on automatically and display a number code. Check the code to make sure it matches the number code on the vial of test strips. If the number code on your meter doesn’t match the number code on your test strip vial, you won’t get an accurate reading. If the numbers don’t match, follow the instructions that came with your meter to change the meter. code. COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Using the Glucometer – Step 2 Get a blood sample Use a lancing device and a new lancet to get a drop of blood from the fingertip. Getting the blood from the side of the fingertip makes it easier to apply the blood to the test strip. COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Using the Glucometer – Step 3 Apply blood to strip When the blood droplet symbol appears in meter window, apply blood to strip Make sure that the channel in the strip is completely full. This ensures that your meter has a large enough blood sample to give you an accurate reading. **If your sample doesn’t fill the channel, add more blood to that strip within 5 seconds. If you get an error reading, discard the strip and start again** COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Using the Glucometer – Step 4 Read the result Your meter will count down and display the result of your blood glucose level. COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Diabetes can be treated with injections of insulin or oral glucose medications. COMPLETE SLIDE CAL FIRE (PSFA) providers will only assist in administering oral glucose medications.

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Public Safety First Aid trained personnel can assist with glucometer use and administration of oral glucose in a hypoglycemic patient. Certified Emergency Medical Technicians can use a glucometer to get a glucose reading and to administer oral glucose or monitor intravenously (IV) lines delivering glucose solutions. COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Patient Assessment Look for indicators in the patient: Presents with signs and symptoms of Hyperglycemia Medical Identification (Bracelet, etc.) A history of diabetes Altered mental status Can patient swallow and protect their airway COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia) Oral Glucose Administration If patient is alert: Patient will self-administer glucose If patient cannot self-administer: PSFA providers can assist patient in administering oral glucose as needed for patient to receive medication COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org COMPLETE SLIDE

Diabetic emergencies Questions? COMPLETE SLIDE