How do you tell the difference between hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia as an EMT?!
Question: How do you tell the difference between hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia as an EMT.?
Answers:
Taking a blood glucose is in a basic EMT's scope of practice in most states now. If not in yours than hypo the pt will be very confused, sweaty or completely unresponsive. Hypo is also more likely in type 1 (insulin dependant) but not always. A good family hisotry of normal behavior for them is a good start. Hyper will be acting normal complaining of headaches, nausea, vomiting and overall feeling of not feeling well.Health Question & Answer
Actually "get over it" is incorrect. Yes, the best way to differentiate the two is to do a simple blood glucose test but Hypo- is when the sugar is low and more commonly seen among type one diabetics because you can rarely get your sugar as low among type 2 diabetics (who use pills, sometimes shots but rare, and diet/exercise) than type 1's (who use actual artificial insulin). Much easier to over-shoot and give too much than to have the pills effect the same or exercise too much!
Normally when you're too low, you'll be passed out. You can go longer being hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) and conscious, although not entirely functioning normally/feeling normal, than when your hypoglycemic. EMT's normally check a patient who's passed out for a fruity smell from the mouth (although I don't know why we give off this smell if passed out). Hypoglycemia causes nausea or vomitting, profusely sweating, shaking/trembling hands/arms, trouble finish thoughts/sentences. From the outside looking in on a patient with hyperglycemia, they will show excessive lathargic, tired, slow... but seriously best is to quickly check the sugar, which is a less than one minute procedure. Check it on a clean finger, clean forearm, even the earlobe.Health Question & Answer
Normally when you're too low, you'll be passed out. You can go longer being hyperglycemic (high blood sugar) and conscious, although not entirely functioning normally/feeling normal, than when your hypoglycemic. EMT's normally check a patient who's passed out for a fruity smell from the mouth (although I don't know why we give off this smell if passed out). Hypoglycemia causes nausea or vomitting, profusely sweating, shaking/trembling hands/arms, trouble finish thoughts/sentences. From the outside looking in on a patient with hyperglycemia, they will show excessive lathargic, tired, slow... but seriously best is to quickly check the sugar, which is a less than one minute procedure. Check it on a clean finger, clean forearm, even the earlobe.Health Question & Answer
Im not sure what is supposed to be "incorrect" with the first answer. Hyo is low, Hyper is high. To determine a high from a low without a glucose screening than sweating, confusion, unconsciousness, is correct. High very rarely mean unconsciousness, is nausea, vomiting, (vomiting is not seen in low blood sugars until after they start coming around usually from glucagon) headaches, and yes the over all feeling of not being well.Health Question & Answer
Well little miss diabetic, blood glucose test aren't used in National Registry of EMT's. Only some states allow EMT's to use them most places it a Paramedic Skill. Did you not note the question asking EMT's their opinion.? And No not ALL low blood sugars will be unconscious. I've been an EMT longer than you have been diabetic princess, I know what the answer needs to be better than you do.Read the question thoroughly next time.Health Question & Answer
If you can't use a glucometer, ask how long the symptoms have been present. Rapid onset would indicate low blood sugar and if they respond that the symptoms have gotten worse over the last few days, then it's probably hyper. If in doubt, give glucose! If they're hypo it'll help and if they are already high, then the ER MD can deal with that.Health Question & Answer