How do you recognize and treat suspected hypoglycemia in a casualty with diabetes?

How do you recognize and treat suspected hypoglycemia in a casualty with diabetes?

• A. Look for dizziness, confusion, sweating; give fast-acting sugar if conscious and able to swallow; if unconscious, seek medical help and do not give oral foods
• B. Give insulin
• C. Give large meals
• D. Wait to see if symptoms improve

Answer: (A)

Recognize hypoglycemia by the body's warning signs: dizziness, confusion, sweating, and other symptoms such as shakiness or pallor, which occur when blood glucose drops. The safest first aid action is to give something that raises blood glucose quickly if the person is awake and able to swallow. A fast-acting carbohydrate—things like glucose tablets or a small amount of fruit juice or regular soda—helps raise glucose promptly. After giving it, reassess in about 10 to 15 minutes; if symptoms persist or blood glucose hasn’t improved, repeat the fast-acting sugar and seek further medical advice as needed. When improvement occurs, offer a longer-acting carbohydrate to help stabilize glucose levels and monitor the person. If the casualty becomes unconscious or cannot swallow, do not give anything by mouth. Call for emergency medical help right away and, if you’re trained and have the appropriate measures available, administer emergency glucose or glucagon according to your training. Do not give insulin during a suspected hypoglycemic episode, and don’t wait to see if symptoms resolve on their own. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent brain and body complications.

Recognize hypoglycemia by the body's warning signs: dizziness, confusion, sweating, and other symptoms such as shakiness or pallor, which occur when blood glucose drops. The safest first aid action is to give something that raises blood glucose quickly if the person is awake and able to swallow. A fast-acting carbohydrate—things like glucose tablets or a small amount of fruit juice or regular soda—helps raise glucose promptly. After giving it, reassess in about 10 to 15 minutes; if symptoms persist or blood glucose hasn’t improved, repeat the fast-acting sugar and seek further medical advice as needed. When improvement occurs, offer a longer-acting carbohydrate to help stabilize glucose levels and monitor the person.

If the casualty becomes unconscious or cannot swallow, do not give anything by mouth. Call for emergency medical help right away and, if you’re trained and have the appropriate measures available, administer emergency glucose or glucagon according to your training. Do not give insulin during a suspected hypoglycemic episode, and don’t wait to see if symptoms resolve on their own. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent brain and body complications.