Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XIII · Medical Emergencies · 05

Diabetic emergencies

Hypoglycemia, a blood glucose under 70 mg/dL, comes on fast with shakiness, sweating, hunger and confusion. A conscious patient gets 15 g of fast carbohydrate and a recheck in 15 minutes; an unconscious patient needs EMS, glucagon if available and nothing by mouth. Hyperglycemia builds slowly with thirst and fruity breath. When unsure which it is, give sugar.

High-yield facts · 5

  1. Hypoglycemia is blood glucose under 70 mg/dL; signs include shakiness, sweating, hunger, confusion and irritability, and it develops fast.S28T8
  2. Rule of 15 (conscious patient): give 15 g of fast carbohydrate (4 oz juice, glucose tablets or gel), recheck in 15 minutes, repeat if still low.S28
  3. Unconscious hypoglycemic patient: call EMS, give glucagon if available, nothing by mouth.S28T8
  4. Hyperglycemia (DKA) develops slowly with thirst, frequent urination, fruity acetone breath and deep rapid (Kussmaul) breathing; it needs medical care, not sugar.S28T8
  5. If unsure whether a diabetic emergency is hypo- or hyperglycemia, give sugar: it helps hypoglycemia and does little harm in the short term.T8

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.