EMT Chapter 20 Practice Questions

Questions and Answers

Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when:

The pancreas produces excess insulin.

Insulin is not available in the body. (correct)

Blood glucose levels rapidly fall.

The cells rapidly metabolize glucose.

Classic signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Cold, clammy skin; bradycardia; hunger; and deep, rapid respirations.

Warm, dry skin; hunger; abdominal pain; and deep, slow respirations.

Cool, clammy skin; weakness; tachycardia; and rapid respirations. (correct)

Warm, dry skin; irritability; bradycardia; and rapid respirations.

In contrast to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia:

Can only be corrected in the hospital setting. (correct)

Commonly results in excess water retention.

Is rapidly reversible if oral glucose is given.

Is a rapidly developing metabolic disturbance.

A man finds his 59-year-old wife unconscious. He states that she takes medications for type 2 diabetes. Your assessment reveals that the patient is unresponsive. You should:

Open and maintain her airway and assess breathing. Signup and view all the answers

Hemoglobin is:

Found within the red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

Type 1 diabetes:

Is a condition in which no insulin is produced by the body. Signup and view all the answers

During your assessment of a 70-year-old woman who takes blood-thinning medication, you should suspect that she has:

Deep vein thrombosis. Signup and view all the answers

Patients with thrombophilia are at an increased risk for:

Acute arterial rupture. Signup and view all the answers

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

Cool, clammy skin. Signup and view all the answers

You are treating a 40-year-old male with a documented blood sugar reading of 480 mg/dL. The patient is semiconscious and breathing shallowly. Definitive treatment for this patient includes:

Insulin. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Occurs when insulin is not available in the body, leading to high blood glucose levels and ketone production.

Hypoglycemia

Classic signs include cool, clammy skin, weakness, tachycardia, and rapid respirations.
Immediate recognition of symptoms is critical for effective intervention.

Hyperglycemia

Unlike hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia can only be corrected in a hospital setting.
It is characterized by prolonged high blood sugar levels.

Patient Assessment

For an unconscious patient with a history of type 2 diabetes who has not eaten, open and maintain the airway and assess breathing first.
Medical identification tags can provide valuable information but should not delay urgent care.

Hemoglobin Function

Found within red blood cells, hemoglobin is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by no insulin production by the body.
It is distinct from Type 2 diabetes, which can be treated with medications like metformin.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Patients on blood-thinning medications and wearing compression stockings may have deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Thrombophilia

Increases the risk for acute arterial rupture, a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications.

Severe Hyperglycemia Symptoms

Includes warm, dry skin, rapid thready pulse, and acetone breath odor.
Cool, clammy skin is not a symptom of severe hyperglycemia.

Treatment for Severe Hyperglycemia

For a patient with a high blood sugar reading (e.g., 480 mg/dL) who is semiconscious, insulin is required for definitive treatment.

Description

Test your knowledge on Diabetic Ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia with these practice questions from EMT Chapter 20. Understand the critical signs and symptoms associated with these conditions to better prepare for emergencies.