Medical Surgical Nursing

(Tina Sui) #1

  • Treatment of hypoglycemia

  • Mild

    • Immediate treatment

    • 15 g rapid-acting sugar



  • Severe

    • Hospitalized

    • Intravenous glucose



  • Teach patients to carry simple sugar with them


Diabetes Ketoacidosis (DKA)



  • Life-threatening illness in type 1

  • Hyperglycemia

  • Dehydration and electrolyte loss

  • Acidosis

  • Causes of DKA

  • Decreased or missed dose of insulin,

  • Illness or infection,

  • Undiagnosed and untreated diabetes

  • Without insulin, the amount of glucose entering the cells is reduced, and production


and release of glucose by the liver is increased (lead to hyperglycemia).



  • Excess glucose leads to polyuria (6.5 L/day) dehydration, sodium and potassium loss

  • Burning of fat leads to ketosis

  • Kidneys unable to excrete ketones, leads to ketoacidosis

Free download pdf