1. Emergency Medical Services Program
Diabetic emergencies

2. 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
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3. Unit One Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetic emergencies
Unit One Diabetes Mellitus
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4. 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.
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5. Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus Glucose Homeostasis
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6. Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus – Risk Factors
Some risk factors include:
Obesity
Sedentary Lifestyle
Family History
Hypertension
Low High Density Lipids (HDL)
Elevated Triglycerides
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7. Diabetic emergencies Diabetes Mellitus – Signs and Symptoms
Some signs and symptoms include:
Frequent Urination
Excessive Thirst
Weight Loss
Hunger
Fatigue
Slow Healing Wounds
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8. Unit Two Hyper and Hypo Glycemia
Diabetic emergencies
Unit Two Hyper and Hypo Glycemia
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9. 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
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10. Diabetic emergencies
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. Diabetic emergencies
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
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14. 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
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15. Unit Three Glucometers and Glucose
Diabetic emergencies
Unit Three Glucometers and Glucose
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16. 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).
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17. 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)
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18. 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.
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19. 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.
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20. 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**
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21. 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.
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22. Diabetic emergencies Treatment of Diabetes (Hypoglycemia)
Diabetes can be treated with injections of insulin or oral glucose medications.
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CAL FIRE (PSFA) providers will only assist in administering oral glucose medications.

23. 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.
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24. 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
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25. 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
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26. Diabetic emergencies ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association:
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27. Diabetic emergencies
Questions?
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