Diabetes Chapter 19 Flashcards

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

• Occurs when insulin is absent in the body, leading to high blood glucose levels.
• Symptoms may include excessive urination, confusion, and rapid breathing.

Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Presentation

• A young female patient with difficulty controlling blood sugar may present with signs of significant hyperglycemia.
• Symptoms include excessive urination (polyuria) and mental confusion.

Polyphagia

• Excessive eating due to cellular hunger is termed polyphagia.
• Common symptom in diabetes when glucose cannot enter cells.

Thrombophilia Risks

• Patients with thrombophilia are at increased risk for pulmonary embolism due to blood clotting disorders.

New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Signs

• Symptoms may include weight loss and polyuria, indicating uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Pulmonary Embolism Indicators

• A patient with a history of diabetes and sudden difficulty breathing should be suspected of having a pulmonary embolism.

Assessing Diabetic Patients

• In unresponsive diabetic patients, observe the rate and depth of breathing to differentiate between hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.

Complications of Diabetes

• Diabetic patients face an increased risk of conditions such as blindness due to damage to the eyes from prolonged high blood sugar.

Children and Hypoglycemia

• Young children may experience hypoglycemia more readily since they cannot store excess glucose as effectively as adults during periods of illness or injury.

Managing Aggressive Patients

• In the case of an aggressive, confused patient holding a weapon, ensure safety by retreating and calling law enforcement.

Insulin Management

• A patient unsure if they took their insulin should contact medical control; administering oral glucose may be necessary if hypoglycemia is suspected.

Unresponsive Patients

• For an unresponsive patient with a history of diabetes, follow airway management protocols first, ensuring proper breathing support.

Chest Pain and Weakness in Diabetic Patients

• When a diabetic patient experiences chest pain, suspect a heart attack and treat accordingly regardless of blood sugar levels.

High Blood Sugar Treatment

• Definitive treatment for semiconscious patients with very high blood sugar levels (e.g., 480 mg/dL) includes administering insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes Characteristics

• Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the absence of insulin production in the body, typically diagnosed in younger patients.

Obtaining Medical History

• For diabetic patients, prioritize recent illnesses or stress when obtaining a SAMPLE history, as these can significantly impact their condition.

Risks of Untreated High Blood Sugar

• Failure to treat high blood sugar levels can lead to severe complications like irreversible renal failure.

Compression Stockings Use

• Compression stockings indicate that a patient may have deep vein thrombosis, especially if they are on blood-thinning medication.

Brain and Glucose Dependency

• The brain requires glucose for energy, similar to its requirement for oxygen, as it cannot store glucose.

Signs of Severe Hyperglycemia

• Common indicators of severe hyperglycemia include warm, dry skin, rapid pulse, and acetone breath odor; cool, clammy skin suggests hypoglycemia.