Lesson 4.4: Diabetes/Altered Mental Status

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, the EMT-Basic should be able to:

1. Identify the patient taking diabetic medications with altered mental status and the implications of a diabetes history.
2. State the steps in the emergency medical care of the patient taking diabetic medicine with an altered mental status and a history of diabetes.
3. Establish the relationship between airway management and the patient with altered mental status.
4. State the generic and trade names, medication forms, action, and contraindications for oral glucose.
5. Evaluate the need for medical direction in the emergency medical care of the diabetic patient.
6. Explain the rationale for administering oral glucose.
7. Demonstrate the steps in the emergency medical care of the patient taking diabetic medicine with an altered mental status and a history of diabetes.
8. Demonstrate the steps in the administration of oral glucose.
9. Demonstrate the assessment and documentation of patient response to oral glucose.
10. Demonstrate how to complete a prehospital care report for patients with diabetic emergencies.