11.3.9: Diabetes and Low Blood Sugar

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 67697

Erin O'Hara-Leslie, Amdra C. Wade, Kimberly B. McLain, SUNY Broome

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Diabetes is a condition in which the person is unable to make enough insulin to properly use glucose. Too much or too little glucose (sugar) can cause serious problems for a person. Some diabetics take insulin to manage their diabetes. In some instances they may have taken too much insulin or took their insulin but either did not eat enough or waited too long to eat or if they have been exercising too much without enough food. This can cause their blood sugar levels to drop. If a person goes for too long with too low of a blood sugar level they can have a seizure, go into a coma, and even die. It is important that the HHA/PCA act quickly and be observant for signs of low blood sugar for patients who have diabetes.

Signs of low blood sugar:

A change in behavior such as confusion or irritability
Sleepiness or drowsiness
Hunger or thirst
Weakness
Sweating
Pale skin color

Seizures

What to do:

If the person can sit up and swallow, give them something that contains sugar to eat or drink.
Allow the person to rest and sit or lie down.
Contact emergency medical services
Inform your supervisor and document the incident.

It is important to remember when giving someone with low blood sugar to eat or drink that the food or drink contains sugar. Foods or drinks to use include: fruit juice, soda, honey, milk, or sugar packets mixed in juice. Never give a person with low blood sugar a diet drink or food as it does not contain sugar in it. The goal is to increase their sugar levels. If in doubt whether the patient has too high or too low blood sugar, it is better to give them something with sugar to prevent seizures or coma. Too high blood sugar levels are less dangerous than too low blood sugar levels.

Self Check Activity \(\PageIndex{1}\)

1. Which of the following items could be used to increase blood sugar levels of a person with low blood sugar? Select all that apply.

a). salad

b). diet soda

c). milk

d). orange juice

e). sugar packets or honey

Answer

C, D, and E

FEEDBACK:

It is important to remember when giving someone with low blood sugar to eat or drink that the food or drink contains sugar. Never give a person with low blood sugar a diet drink or food as it does not contain sugar in it. Salad and diet soda does not contain sugar. Milk, orange juice, and sugar packets or honey all contain sugar.

Always inform a supervisor of any medical emergency. Report all injuries and incidents, no matter how insignificant (small) they seem. Always call for help for any serious medical emergency. Document all injuries and steps taken to provide care carefully and accurately. Whenever in doubt, seek guidance from a supervisor.