Diabetic Emergencies

1. The term "polyuria" can be defined as frequent:

Seizure activity.

Bouts of depression.

Large-volume urination

Drinking to satisfy continuous thirst.

Reason: Polyuria is frequent, large volume urination, a classic symptom of diabetes.

Explanation

Reason: Polyuria is frequent, large volume urination, a classic symptom of diabetes.

2. Which of the following is a common sign or symptom of a patient experiencing a diabetic emergency?

Slow pulse

Pale, clammy skin

Elevated blood pressure

Decreased respiratory rate

Reason: Signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency include pale, clammy skin, rapid pulse, normal or rapid respirations, and normal or slightly low blood pressure.

Explanation

Reason: Signs and symptoms of a diabetic emergency include pale, clammy skin, rapid pulse, normal or rapid respirations, and normal or slightly low blood pressure.

3. Diabetes is caused by the body's lack of adequate amounts of:

Sugar.

Insulin.

Glucose.

Aspartame.

Reason: Diabetes is caused by lack of adequate amounts of insulin.

Explanation

Reason: Diabetes is caused by lack of adequate amounts of insulin.

4. When do you draw blood for the hospital? Before you adminster D50 or after?

Before

After

Drawing blood for the hospital is done before administering D50. This is because drawing blood is typically done to collect samples for various tests and analysis, such as checking blood glucose levels. Administering D50, on the other hand, involves giving a concentrated solution of dextrose to quickly raise blood sugar levels in emergency situations, such as hypoglycemia. Therefore, drawing blood is a necessary step to gather information about the patient's current blood status before deciding whether D50 administration is needed.

Explanation

Drawing blood for the hospital is done before administering D50. This is because drawing blood is typically done to collect samples for various tests and analysis, such as checking blood glucose levels. Administering D50, on the other hand, involves giving a concentrated solution of dextrose to quickly raise blood sugar levels in emergency situations, such as hypoglycemia. Therefore, drawing blood is a necessary step to gather information about the patient's current blood status before deciding whether D50 administration is needed.

5. Dextrose should be diluted 1:1 with normal saline (to create D25W) for patient 8 years and younger

True

False

Dextrose should be diluted 1:1 with normal saline for patients 8 years and younger to create D25W. This is because younger patients have a higher risk of developing hyperglycemia if dextrose is administered undiluted. Diluting dextrose with normal saline helps to prevent this complication and ensures a safer administration of the medication.

Explanation

Dextrose should be diluted 1:1 with normal saline for patients 8 years and younger to create D25W. This is because younger patients have a higher risk of developing hyperglycemia if dextrose is administered undiluted. Diluting dextrose with normal saline helps to prevent this complication and ensures a safer administration of the medication.

6. The form of diabetes that develops as a person ages is called:

Type I diabetes.

Type II diabetes.

Type III diabetes.

Adult sugar disorder.

Reason: The form of diabetes that develops as a person ages is called type II diabetes.

Explanation

Reason: The form of diabetes that develops as a person ages is called type II diabetes.

7. Altered mental status that often accompanies diabetic emergencies is often mistaken for:

A migraine.

Alcohol intoxication.

A severed spinal cord

A swollen or deformed lower extremity.

Reason: The behavior of some diabetic patients with altered mental status has often been mistaken for alcohol or drug intoxication.

Explanation

Reason: The behavior of some diabetic patients with altered mental status has often been mistaken for alcohol or drug intoxication.

8. Which of the following conditions can occur if an unconscious patient is given oral glucose?

Shock

Aspiration

Hypotension

Hyperglycemia

Reason: When oral glucose is properly given, placing it between the cheek and gum of a conscious patient who is able to swallow and protect the airway, there are no side effects. However, if given to a patient who in unconscious or unable to swallow, aspiration can occur.

Explanation

Reason: When oral glucose is properly given, placing it between the cheek and gum of a conscious patient who is able to swallow and protect the airway, there are no side effects. However, if given to a patient who in unconscious or unable to swallow, aspiration can occur.

9. Which of the following will probably NOT cause a diabetic emergency in a patient with a history of diabetes controlled by medication?

Eating a regularly scheduled meal

Unusual exercise or fatigue

Overeating

Infection

Reason: Changes in the level of consciousness in a patient who has diabetes, but who controls it with medication, can occur from unusual exercise, fatigue, overeating without increasing the insulin dose, infection, illness, or alcohol.

Explanation

Reason: Changes in the level of consciousness in a patient who has diabetes, but who controls it with medication, can occur from unusual exercise, fatigue, overeating without increasing the insulin dose, infection, illness, or alcohol.

10. What waste products are formed when fat is used for energy?

Pancreatic acids

Glucose and carbon dioxide

Glucose and fatty acids

Ketones and fatty acids

Ketones and fatty acids are formed as waste products when fat is used for energy

Explanation

Ketones and fatty acids are formed as waste products when fat is used for energy

11. At what Blood Glucose Level for Pediatric Patients?

More than 40 if clinically indicated

Less than 40 if clinically indicated

Same as adult

Pediatric patients should have a blood glucose level of less than 40 if clinically indicated. This means that if there are specific clinical indications or reasons, such as symptoms or conditions, that suggest a need for it, the blood glucose level should be below 40. This is likely because a blood glucose level below 40 in pediatric patients may indicate hypoglycemia, which can be a serious medical condition requiring immediate attention and treatment.

Explanation

Pediatric patients should have a blood glucose level of less than 40 if clinically indicated. This means that if there are specific clinical indications or reasons, such as symptoms or conditions, that suggest a need for it, the blood glucose level should be below 40. This is likely because a blood glucose level below 40 in pediatric patients may indicate hypoglycemia, which can be a serious medical condition requiring immediate attention and treatment.

12. Diabetes is considered a disease of balance because the patient must try to balance:

Food intake with glucose therapy.

Medication with charcoal intake.

Medication to stimulate the liver with fat intake.

The need for glucose with the available insulin supply.

Reason: Diabetes is a disease of balance because the patient must balance the need for glucose with his or her available insulin supply.

Explanation

Reason: Diabetes is a disease of balance because the patient must balance the need for glucose with his or her available insulin supply.

13. Oral glucose should be placed:

On the tongue of a conscious patient.

On the tongue of an unconscious patient.

Between the cheek and gum of a conscious patient.

Between the cheek and gum of an unconscious patient.

Reason: Oral glucose should be placed between the cheek and the gum of a patient who can swallow. It should not be given to an unconscious patient.

Explanation

Reason: Oral glucose should be placed between the cheek and the gum of a patient who can swallow. It should not be given to an unconscious patient.

14. Per Protocol, At what Blood Glucose Level can we adminster D50

Less than 50

Less than 60

Less than 70

Less than 80

D50, also known as dextrose 50%, is a solution used to treat low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). It contains 50% dextrose, a type of sugar that quickly raises blood glucose levels. The correct answer is "Less than 60" because D50 should be administered when blood glucose levels are below this threshold. This ensures that the patient's blood sugar is promptly increased to a safe level.

Explanation

D50, also known as dextrose 50%, is a solution used to treat low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). It contains 50% dextrose, a type of sugar that quickly raises blood glucose levels. The correct answer is "Less than 60" because D50 should be administered when blood glucose levels are below this threshold. This ensures that the patient's blood sugar is promptly increased to a safe level.

15. What is the dose for an adult?

20 gm

25 gm

50 gm

100 gm

The correct answer is 25 gm. This suggests that the recommended dose for an adult is 25 gm.

Explanation

The correct answer is 25 gm. This suggests that the recommended dose for an adult is 25 gm.