Author:Â Sobia Akhtar /Â Editor:Â Steve Corry-Bass /Â Reviewer: Ciaran Mackle / Codes:Â EnP3, PhP3, SLO3 /Â Published:Â 10/10/2019 / Reviewed: 04/11/2022
A 63-year-old female with a background of type I diabetes mellitus, chronic pancreatitis and COPD presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with confusion and hypoglycaemia. She was drowsy on arrival of the ambulance crew, with a capillary glucose of 1.8mmol/L. Treatment was initiated with IM glucagon 1mg and the glucose increased to 5.9mmol/L. This was followed up with orange juice and toast but her glucose subsequently dropped to 3.4mmol/L and so she was transported to hospital.
Her observations are recorded below:
HR: 101
BP: 118/75
SpO2: 93% room air
T: 35.6oC
Glucose 2.6mmol/L
She is commenced on IV glucose infusion and is alert but confused. The nurse then calls you as the patient becomes unresponsive with erratic breathing. On examination you find she has pinpoint pupils and a fentanyl patch on her left shoulder. A further capillary glucose is checked, reading 7.8mmol/L.
Module Content
Management of Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is usually unpleasant, often becomes a source of fear, and can be an embarrassment as well as a safety risk
Management of Hypoglycaemia
Hypoglycaemia is easily diagnosed and treated in emergency departments (EDs), if it is considered. In this session we will look at the presentation, causes and treatment options available.
December 2023
This month we have a brand new Co-host, Liz Farah. And the topics on discussion are Mortality in older patients boarding overnight in the ED, Hypertension in the ED and Cauda Equina Syndrome, Opioids for back pain & New Online
7 Comments
Nice
Regarding the last question a CT would not be indicated if a full recovery of neurology occurred following IV naloxone and fentanyl patch and should not be requested until these actions have been performed
Thanks for your comment, brettc. As it’s also mentioned in the Case feedback, ‘..the fentanyl patch should be removed and IV naloxone given. It is not unreasonable to consider a CT head should the patient remain drowsy and/or confused despite the above measures’. (please click ‘View questions’ after submitting the questions to view full feedback)
Good Revision.
nice revision
enjoyed this one
Thanks. My learning from this case is Edinburgh Hypoglycaemic Scale. I was not aware of this classification.