HYPOGLYCEMIA
By Davis, Rod
HYPOGLYCEMIA
Mild to Moderate Hypoglycemia
Signs and Symptoms
Behavior changes may include:
acting quiet and withdrawn
being stubborn or restless
tantrums of sudden rage
confusion
inappropriate emotional responses (e.g.: laughter, crying)
poor concentration or day dreaming
Shakiness
Sweatiness
Headache
Dizziness
Pallor
Increased Heart Rate
Staggering Walk
Uncontrollable Crying Episode
Slurred Speech
Blank Stare
Refusal To Take Anything By Mouth
Treatment
If you don't know what the blood sugar is, treat the symptoms.
Give the child some quick-acting sugar such as:
2-4 glucose tablets
3-4 ounces of juice
6-8 ounces of regular pop
6-8 ounces of milk
If the child has difficulty drinking, but is able to swallow, slowly squeeze cake icing (gel type) or glucose gel to inside of the child's cheek - even if the child resists. Rub the cheek gently to make sure sugar is being absorbed.
Check the blood sugar 10-20 minutes after treatment. If the blood sugar result is less than 80, or if the child still has symptoms, repeat the quick sugar treatment and blood sugar testing cycle until the child is symptom free and the blood sugar result is above 80.
When the child feels better and the blood sugar result is above 80, give additional snack if next meal is more than 30 minutes away and/or if the child will be participating in active play/sport following the low blood sugar episode.
The child may return to class after the blood sugar is above 80 and the child is symptom free.
Notify parent as soon as possible.
Severe Hypoglycemia
Signs and Symptoms
unconscious
unresponsive
convulsion-like movement
failure to respond to cake icing (gel type) or glucose gel
Treatment
Be sure child is lying down in a safe area protected from head and bodily injury.
Position the child on his/her side
Call 911
Inject glucagon if ordered/available. (RN only, if a registered nurse is unavailable to administer, 911 should be called)
Please note that as the child regains consciousness, nausea and vomiting may occur
Notify parents as soon as possible
Hyperglycemia
Signs and Symptoms
loss of appetite
increased thirst
frequent urination
tiredness, sleepiness
inattentiveness
rapid breathing
fruity odor to the breath
Treatment
If the student has warning signs of high blood sugar, check the blood sugar
If blood sugar is over 240, check urine ketones:
Negative to small: give lots of fluids (sugarfree such as water or diet pop)
Moderate to large: call parent/diabetes physician (an order from physician for extra short acing insulin my be given)
NEVER WITHHOLD FOOD FOR HIGH BLOOD SUGAR!
Notify parent
