15: Diabetic Emergencies
Cognitive Objectives (1 of 2)
4-4.1 Identify the patient taking diabetic medications
with altered mental status and the implications of a
history of diabetes.
4-4.2 State the steps in the emergency medical care
of the patient taking diabetic medicine with an
altered mental status and a history of diabetes.
4-4.3 Establish the relationship between airway
management and the patient with altered mental
status.
Cognitive Objectives (2 of 2)
4-4.4 State the generic and trade names, medication
forms, dose, administration, action, and
contraindications for oral glucose.
4-4.5 Evaluate the need for medical direction in the
emergency medical care of the diabetic patient.
Affective Objectives
4-4.6 Explain the rationale for administering oral
glucose.
Psychomotor Objectives
4-4.7 Demonstrate the steps in the emergency
medical care for the patient taking diabetic
medicine with an altered mental status and a
history of diabetes.
4-4.8 Demonstrate the steps in the administration of
oral glucose.
4-4.9 Demonstrate the assessment and
documentation of patient response to oral glucose.
4-4.10 Demonstrate how to complete a prehospital
care report for patients with diabetic emergencies.
Additional Objectives
1. Demonstrate the steps in the use of a
glucometer.
• This is a noncurriculum objective.
Defining Diabetes (1 of 2)
• Diabetes mellitus
– Metabolic disorder in which the body cannot
metabolize glucose
– Usually due to a lack of insulin
• Glucose
– One of the basic sugars in the body
– Along with oxygen, it is a primary fuel for cellular
metabolism.
Defining Diabetes (2 of 2)
• Insulin
– Hormone produced by the pancreas
– Enables glucose to enter the cells
– Without insulin, cells starve.
• Hormone
– Chemical substance produced by a
gland
– Has special regulatory effects on other
body organs and tissues
Type I Diabetes
• Insulin-dependent diabetes
• Patient does not produce any insulin.
• Insulin injected daily
• Onset usually in childhood
Type II Diabetes
• Non-insulin-dependent diabetes
• Patient produces inadequate amounts of insulin.
• Disease may be controlled by diet or oral
hypoglycemics.
Role of Glucose and Insulin
• Glucose is the major source of energy for the body.
• Constant supply of glucose needed for the brain
• Insulin acts as the key for glucose to enter cells.
Hyperglycemia
• Lack of insulin causes glucose to build-up in blood
in extremely high levels.
• Kidneys excrete glucose.
• This requires a large amount of water.
• Without glucose, body uses fat for fuel.
• Ketones are formed.
• Ketones can produce diabetic ketoacidosis.
Signs and Symptoms
of Diabetic Ketoacidosis
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Kussmaul respirations
• Unconsciousness
Blood Glucose Monitors
• Glucometer
• Normal range
80-120 mg/dL
• Test strips
Diabetic Emergencies According
to Blood Glucose Level
Signs of Diabetic Coma
• Kussmaul respirations
• Dehydration
• “Fruity” breath odor
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Normal or slightly low blood pressure
• Varying degrees of unresponsiveness
Signs of Insulin Shock
• Normal or rapid • Altered mental status
respirations
• Aggressive or confused
• Pale, moist skin behavior
• Sweating • Hunger
• Dizziness, headache • Fainting, seizure, or coma
• Rapid pulse • Weakness on one side of
• Normal to low blood the body
pressure
• You and your partner are dispatched for a 43-year-
old man who is “very sweaty and acting strangely.”
• Police are on scene. You are the Provider
• Patient is rocking back and forth.
• Patient repeatedly says he needs to go home.
• Patient is pale, sweaty, and trembling.
• Should this patient be allowed to refuse treatment?
• What additional resources are indicated for this
You are the Provider continued
patient?
Scene Size-up
• Scene safety remains a priority.
• Beware of used syringes.
• Ensure that needed resources are requested.
• Consider spinal immobilization based on MOI.
• As you assemble your equipment, your partner tells
you the patient is wearing a medic alert tag.
• The patient is an insulin-dependent diabetic.
• The patient’s glucose level is 45 mg/dL.
• What is your next step?
You are the provider continued
Initial Assessment
• General impression
– Does the patient appear anxious, restless, or
listless?
– Is the patient apathetic or irritable?
– Is the patient interacting with the environment
appropriately?
• If the patient has an altered mental status, summon
ALS immediately.
Airway and Breathing
• Check for adequate airway; treat appropriately.
• Breathing:
– If adequate or patient has an altered mental
status, provide oxygen via nonrebreathing mask at
10 to 15 L/min.
– If inadequate, ensure ventilations with 100%
oxygen.
• A hyperglycemic patient may have:
– Rapid, deep respirations (Kussmaul respirations)
– Sweet, fruity breath odor
Circulation
• Warm, dry skin = diabetic coma
• Moist, pale skin = insulin shock
• Rapid, weak pulse = insulin shock
Transport Decision
• Depends on LOC and ability to swallow
• Patients with altered mental status and impaired
ability to swallow should be transported promptly.
• Patients who can swallow and maintain own airway
may be further evaluated and interventions
performed.
Focused History and Physical Exam (1 of 2)
• Unresponsive patients receive a rapid physical
exam.
• Ask patients with known diabetes:
– Do you take insulin or any pills that lower your
blood sugar?
– Have you taken your usual dose of insulin (or
pills) today?
– Have you eaten normally today?
– Have you had any illness, unusual amount of
activity, or stress today?
Focused History and Physical Exam (2 of 2)
• Patients who have eaten but not taken insulin are
more likely to have developed diabetic
ketoacidosis.
• Patients who have taken insulin but have not eaten
are more likely to be in insulin shock.
• The patient will often know what is wrong.
• Do not assume that diabetes is the cause of the
problem.
Focused Physical Exam
• Focus on patient’s mental status and ability to
swallow and protect the airway.
• Obtain a Glasgow Coma Scale score.
• Other signs:
– Tremors
– Abdominal cramps
– Vomiting
– Fruity breath odor
– Dry mouth
Baseline Vital Signs
• Hypoglycemia
– Respirations = normal to rapid
– Pulse = normal to rapid
– Skin = pale and clammy
– Blood pressure = low
• Hyperglycemia
– Respirations = deep and rapid
– Pulse = normal to fast
– Skin = warm and dry
– Blood pressure = normal
Interventions
• Conscious patient
– If able to swallow without risk of aspiration,
encourage him or her to drink juice or another
drink that contains sugar.
– Or administer oral glucose.
• Unconscious patient
– Will need IV glucose
• When in doubt, consult medical control.
• You help the patient self-administer the entire tube
of glucose.
• If the patient is hypoglycemic, how long should it
take for this to begin to raise the patient’s mental
status? You are the Provider (continued) (1 of 2)
• The patient has gotten argumentative and mildly
combative. Is this expected?
• He becomes more alert.
• He tells you that he was driving home to eat
because he realized that his blood sugar level
was dropping.
• After a few minutes, he is fully alert and refuses
You are the Provider (continued) (2 of 2)
transport.
• You remind him to eat a meal high in
carbohydrates as soon as possible.
Detailed Physical Exam
• The patient may have sustained trauma or may
have another metabolic problem; do not make
assumptions.
• Perform a careful physical exam if time permits.
Ongoing Assessment
• Is the patient’s mental status
improving?
• Reassess ABCs, vital signs.
• If patient deteriorates, provide more
glucose.
• Relay information to the hospital.
• Carefully document your assessment
findings.
• Follow local protocols for refusals.
Administering Glucose (1 of 3)
• Names:
– Glutose
– Insta-Glucose
• Dose equals one tube
• Glucose should be given to a diabetic patient with a
decreased level of consciousness.
• DO NOT give glucose to a patient with the inability
to swallow or who is unconscious.
Administering Oral Glucose (2 of 3)
• Make sure the tube is
intact and has not
expired.
• Squeeze a generous
amount onto a bite stick.
Administering Glucose (3 of 3)
• Open the patient’s mouth.
• Place the bite stick on the
mucous membranes
between the cheek and
the gum with the gel side
next to the cheek.
• Repeat.
Complications of Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Visual disturbances
• Renal failure
• Stroke
• Ulcers
• Infections of the feet and toes
• Seizures
• Altered mental status
Seizures
• Consider hypoglycemia as the cause.
• Use appropriate BLS measures for airway
management.
• Provide prompt transport.
Altered Mental Status
• Altered mental status is often caused by
complications of diabetes.
• Ensure that airway is clear.
• Be prepared to ventilate and suction.
• Provide prompt transport.
Alcoholism
• Patients may appear intoxicated.
• Suspect hypoglycemia with any altered
mental status.
• Be aware of the similarity in symptoms of
acute alcohol intoxication and diabetic
emergencies.
Relationship to Airway
Management
• Patients may lose their gag reflex, causing them
to be unable to guard their airway.
• Be ready to manage the airway.
• Place patient in lateral recumbent position and
have suction available.