Diabetic Emergencies part 2

A 75-year-old male with type 1 diabetes presents with chest pain and a general feeling of weakness. He tells you that he took his insulin today and ate a regular meal approximately 2 hours ago. You should treat this patient as though he is experiencing:

• an acute stroke

• a heart attack

• hyperglycemia

• hypoglycemia

A patient with an altered mental status; high blood glucose levels; and deep, rapid breathing may have a condition known as _______________.

• hypoglycemic crisis

• diabetic ketoacidosis

• hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic coma

• hyperglycemic crisis

A patient with hypoglycemia will often present with which of the following signs/symptoms?

• Deep, rapid respirations

• Hypertension

• Pale, cool, and clammy skin

• Warm, red, and dry skin

Common signs and symptoms of severe hyperglycemia include all of the following, EXCEPT:

• cool, clammy skin

• acetone breath odor

• warm, dry skin

• rapid, thready pulse

Kussmaul respirations are an indication that the body is:

• compensating for decreased blood glucose levels

• attempting to eliminate acids from the blood

• trying to eliminate acids from the blood

• severely hypoxic and is eliminating excess CO2

To which of the following diabetic patients should you administer oral glucose?

• An unconscious 33-year-old male with cool, clammy skin

• A confused 55-year-old male with tachycardia and pallor

• A semiconscious 40-year-old female without a gag reflex

• A conscious 37-year-old female with nausea and vomiting

When assessing an unresponsive diabetic patient, the primary visible difference between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia is the:

• patient's mental status

• rate and depth of breathing

• presence of a medical identification tag

• rate of the patient's pulse

When obtaining a SAMPLE history from a patient with diabetes, it would be MOST important to determine:

• if he or she has had any recent illnesses or excessive stress

• approximately how much water the patient drank that day

• the name of the physician who prescribed his or her insulin

• if there is a family history of diabetes or related conditions

Which of the following signs or symptoms would the EMT MOST likely encounter in a patient with new-onset type 1 diabetes?

• Low blood glucose level

• Weight loss and polyuria

• Weight gain and edema

• Total lack of appetite

You respond to a residence for a patient who is “not acting right.” As you approach the door, the patient, a 35-year-old male, begins shouting profanities at you and your partner while holding a baseball bat. The man is confused and diaphoretic, and is wearing a medical identification bracelet. You should:

• calm him down so you can assess him

• retreat at once and call law enforcement

• be assertive and talk the patient down

• contact medical control for instructions