Volume 13, Issue 5: How low can you go? Hypoglycaemia in the pre-hospital environment

How low can you go? Hypoglycaemia in the pre-hospital environment

You’re heading back to base for a much-needed meal break. Base is in sight when you receive a call to a 19-year-old male, confused and acting strangely in the street. On arrival his friends say this is out of character, he is clearly drunk but is that the full story? Should you send him home to sober up or continue the assessment?

CPD benefit

Correction of hypoglycaemia is a medical emergency and occurs when glucose metabolism has failed or is disturbed. It most commonly occurs due to diabetic complications. This article outlines the physiology of blood glucose control and some of the non-diabetic causes of hypoglycaemia to be aware of, there is also guidance on the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Advice on the management of hypoglycaemia includes treatment and conveyance decisions, but stresses the importance of patient education and multidisciplinary team working to ensure that the risk of needing to call an ambulance is reduced in the future.

Standby CPD – Vol. 13 no. 5 – References