×
MedSchool: Ace Your OSCEsThe Medical Company
 
 
 
 
 
GET - On the App Store
View
Deteriorating Patient
 
Deteriorating Patient
 

Blood Sugar Level

February 15th, 2021
 
 
 
Bookmark

Overview

The blood sugar should be tested in every acutely unwell person, mainly because hypoglycaemia is an underdiagnosed cause of reduced consciousness, and can mimic stroke symptoms.

Hypoglycaemia

A blood sugar level of <3.9 is generally considered to indicate hypoglycaemia. This is a clinical emergency and should be rapidly treated.
  • Causes of Hypoglycaemia

  • Diabetics

  • Insulin - excessive insulin dosing, regular insulin dosing despite reduced carbohydrate intake / missing a meal, use of an insulin infusion perioperatively without dextrose infusion
  • Oral hypoglycaemics - sulfonylureas
  • Non-Diabetics

  • Insulinoma
  • Symptoms

  • Autonomic (mild / moderate hypoglycaemia) - hunger, anxiety, diaphoresis, tremor, palpitations, paraesthesiae
  • Neuroglycopaenic (severe hypoglycaemia) - fatigue, confusion, visual changes, seizures, unconsciousness

Hyperglycaemia

  • Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Polyuria
  • Polydipsia
  • Thirst
  • Weight loss
  • Acute Complications

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state (HHS)
Next Page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want more info like this?
  • Your electronic clinical medicine handbook
  • Guides to help pass your exams
  • Tools every medical student needs
  • Quick diagrams to have the answers, fast
  • Quizzes to test your knowledge
Sign Up Now
   
 
 

Snapshot: Initialising...