REVIEW OF THE “15” RULE TREATING LOW BLOOD SUGAR Presented by Florida Health Care Plans Diabetes Education Department Authored by: Patricianne Weiss RN, CPT
If Blood Sugar is Less than 70 Examples: 3 or 4 glucose tablets ½ cup of fruit juice 1 cup skim or 1% milk 4 ounces of regular soda (not diet) pieces of candy (lifesavers, peppermints, jelly beans, but NO CHOCOLATE !!!!!!! 3 sugar cubes or 3 packets of sugar (1 tablespoon) Take 15 grams of carbohydrates : What to Do?
What’s Next? Wait 15 Minutes
If your blood sugar is < 70, then take treatment again even if symptoms have disappeared. < 70 = Check blood sugar again
If your blood sugar is above 70, eat a meal or snack within an hour, otherwise, low blood sugar may reoccur. Wait another 15 minutes
Call 911 You will need IV Dextrose! If not above 70 after 2 treatments
General guidelines summary for treating low blood sugars 1. Do Not keep eating until symptoms disappear. 2. Avoid using high fat foods. 3. Always carry some type of carbohydrate. 4. Keep something at your bedside to treat night time lows. 5. Keep something in your car at all times to treat lows. 6. Always wear diabetes identification.
THE END… For more information on the diabetes ADA recognized program contact: FHCP Diabetes Education Dept 350 N. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Suite 2 Daytona Beach, Florida