Unit 4 Lesson 2 Diabetes and Seizures PDF

Unit 4 Medical Issues Lesson 2 Diabetes and Seizures Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient having a diabetic emergency or experiencing a seizure. Diabetic Emergency Diabetes is a chronic illness that influences how the body turn...

Unit 4 Medical Issues Lesson 2 Diabetes and Seizures Lesson Goal At the end of this lesson, you will be able to provide emergency first aid for a patient having a diabetic emergency or experiencing a seizure. Diabetic Emergency Diabetes is a chronic illness that influences how the body turns food into energy. Diabetes causes the body to not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that converts sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. There are several types of diabetes: Type I—diabetes in which the body does not produce or produces very little insulin Type II—diabetes in which the body does not use insulin properly Gestational—diabetes that may temporarily develop during pregnancy When the body does not have enough insulin or insulin that is working properly, it cannot keep blood sugar at normal levels. Blood sugar that is too high or too low can cause a diabetic emergency. ✅ HL242.1. Describe signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency Signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency can include the following: intoxicated appearance that may mimic drunken behavior or suspected drug overdose, including staggering, jerky movements, or slurred speech confusion dizziness and drowsiness sweet, fruity, or acetone-smelling breath that you might mistake for the odor of alcohol blurry or double vision irregular breathing, rapid or weak pulse seizure, convulsion, loss of consciousness When assessing a conscious patient, ask if they have any medical conditions. Do not assume that the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If the patient states that they have diabetes, Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 127 ask them if they have eaten or taken medication or insulin. Look for a medical alert tag, insulin pump, glucose monitor, or an indication on their driver’s license that they are diabetic. ✅ HL242.2. Describe how to respond to a patient having a diabetic emergency To respond to a patient experiencing a diabetic emergency: 1. Notify EMS of the patient’s condition. 2. Ask the patient if they have a blood glucose monitor with them. If necessary, help the patient perform a blood sugar check. 3. Keep the patient from overheating or becoming chilled. 4. Perform an ongoing assessment for life-threatening conditions while waiting for EMS and be prepared to perform CPR and use an AED if available. Seizure ✅ HL242.3. Describe signs, symptoms, and causes of seizures A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between cells in the brain. Symptoms range from a blank stare into space or random shaking to twitching extremities to whole-body convul- sions. Seizures also cause changes in the person’s behavior, their bodily sensations, or awareness. People experiencing a minor seizure often exhibit signs and symptoms that resemble drunkenness or suspected drug overdose and, in some cases, may show signs of aggression. While having a seizure, the patient may stop breathing temporarily, bite their tongue, lose bowel or bladder control, make noises, spit, have foam around the mouth, display unusual behavior, or be unresponsive. A person can have a single seizure or recurring seizures. Seizures are rarely life threatening unless they continue indefinitely or two or more consecutive seizures occur without a period of respon- siveness in between. Seizures have various causes including: alcohol, illegal drug use (during head trauma withdrawal) high fever (predominately in children) brain abnormalities, tumors infections developmental disorders lack of sleep diseases such as epilepsy and diabetes medications (antidepressants, pain relievers) flashing lights, moving patterns shock genetic influences stroke 128 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (HL): Volume 2 Someone experiencing a seizure could be at risk for falling, drowning, or getting involved in a car accident. Be prepared to provide first aid for injuries outside of responding to a seizure. ✅ HL242.4. Describe how to respond to a patient experiencing a seizure To respond to a patient experiencing a seizure: 1. Speak calmly to the patient. Look for a medical alert tag. 2. Begin timing the seizure and relay the information to EMS when they arrive. 3. If the patient is having a mild seizure and is still standing, encourage them to sit down. If they are shaking and jerking, ease them to the floor. 4. Clear the area around the patient of sharp or hard objects to prevent further injury. 5. Place something soft and flat as a barrier between the patient’s head and the floor. 6. Remove their eyeglasses if appropriate. Loosen anything around their neck that may make it hard for them to breathe.  Do not force anything between the patient’s teeth or into their mouth.  Do not restrain the patient. 7. Monitor the patient to ensure the airway is open. 8. After the seizure, perform a primary assessment. Encourage the patient to assume a posi- tion of comfort if they are responsive. If they are unresponsive after the seizure, you will need to place them in a recovery position. Chapter 2 First Aid for Criminal Justice Officers / 129