Question 1

What is the primary reason to administer oral glucose to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Oral glucose is administered to increase the amount of circulating glucose in the blood, which is essential for energy, especially in cases of hypoglycemia.

Question 2

With normal metabolism, what happens after a healthy patient ingests food?

Accepted Answer

After a healthy patient ingests food, their blood glucose levels rise, prompting the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, using it for energy or storing it for future use, thus increasing blood levels of insulin.

Question 3

Within the human body, insulin works to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Within the human body, insulin works to:
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Question 4

The EMT would describe diabetes as a disease state in which:

Accepted Answer

Diabetes is a disease in which there is a problem with the body's metabolism of carbohydrates and other foods. This can be due to a lack of insulin production (Type 1 diabetes) or the body's inability to use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes). This results in high levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream, which can cause a variety of health problems.

Question 5

To which one of the following patients would the EMT administer oral glucose?

Accepted Answer

Oral glucose should be administered to a patient with a history of diabetes who is able to swallow and experiencing hypoglycemia. Option A would require glucose to be administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Option C would require the administration of glucagon. Option D does not indicate hypoglycemia, so oral glucose would not be necessary.

Question 6

Long-term complications of diabetes commonly include:

Accepted Answer

Kidney disease is a common long-term complication of diabetes, also known as diabetic nephropathy. The high levels of glucose in the blood over time can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage or failure. Asthma, mental retardation, and coma are not typical long-term complications of diabetes.

Question 7

Which one of the following patients has a normal fasting glucose level?

Accepted Answer

A normal fasting glucose level is typically between 70-99 mg/dL. Option A and C both have elevated glucose levels, while Option D has a low glucose level. Option B falls within the normal range.

Question 8

A patient informs you that she takes Januvia pills for her diabetes. Which one of the following statements about this patient and her diabetes is true?

Accepted Answer

Januvia is a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works by increasing the levels of incretin hormones in the body, which in turn stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. Therefore, the patient's pancreas still produces some insulin. Choice B is incorrect because Januvia does not contain insulin. Choice C is incorrect because Januvia does not provide glucose to the body. Choice D is incorrect because Januvia does not decrease the patient's craving for sugary foods.

Question 9

To decrease the possibility of a faulty glucometer reading, you would:

Accepted Answer

Making sure test strips are in date is the best way to decrease the possibility of a faulty glucometer reading. Using the first drop of blood obtained or avoiding the use of alcohol as an antiseptic are not proven to significantly impact the accuracy of the reading. Using venous blood only for testing may be preferred in certain situations, but it is not necessarily a way to decrease the possibility of a faulty reading.

Question 10

You have been called for a 32-year-old female with altered mental status. On scene you find the patient lethargic and confused. Although information is sketchy, it appears that she has a history of diabetes as well as renal failure for which she receives dialysis. You note no deficits in the primary assessment and the vital signs are: pulse 124, respirations 28, BP 106/68 mmHg, and SpO₂ 97%. Your partner reports a blood sugar reading of 774 mg/dL. Based on this information, the EMT would understand that definitive care of this patient would involve the administration of which one of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

The patient's high blood sugar reading of 774 mg/dL coupled with her history of diabetes indicates that she is likely experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes. Insulin is the definitive treatment for this condition and should be administered as soon as possible to help lower the patient's blood sugar levels and prevent further deterioration of her condition. Intravenous fluids and oxygen may also be necessary, but insulin is the most important medication for this patient's care. Glucose would not be appropriate as the patient's blood sugar levels are already dangerously high.

Question 11

You have been called for a 33-year-old male complaining of weakness and dizziness. When getting the history, which one of the following statements would make you suspicious that the patient is an undiagnosed diabetic?

Accepted Answer

Increased urination is a common symptom of diabetes, as high blood sugar levels lead to excess glucose being excreted through the kidneys and into the urine. The other statements could be indicative of other issues such as low blood sugar or anemia.

Question 12

When providing information about diabetes to a group of Emergency Medical Responders, you tell them that it is a disease:

Accepted Answer

Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas fails to produce the proper amount of insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. As a result, people with diabetes have high blood sugar levels, which can cause a variety of health problems over time. While insulin injections are often used to treat diabetes, other treatments, including oral medications and lifestyle changes, may also be effective depending on the type and severity of the disease.

Question 13

The wife of a 43-year-old male has called 911 because her husband was difficult to wake up and now is lethargic with garbled speech. She reports a history of diabetes, stroke, renal failure, and high blood pressure. His airway is patent, respirations tachypneic but adequate, and radial pulse rapid. Your partner reports the following vital signs: pulse 136, respirations 22, blood pressure 106/62, SpO₂ at 92%, and blood glucose 642. Which one of the following would be most appropriate in the care of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Given the patient's high blood glucose level (642), which indicates hyperglycemia, and his SpO₂ at 92%, administering supplemental oxygen is the most appropriate immediate action to help improve his oxygen saturation and support his respiratory function. Administering oral glucose would be contraindicated due to his already high blood sugar levels. Encouraging the patient to drink water, although helpful in the long term for hydration, is not the immediate priority. Assisting the patient with his insulin requires specific medical orders and understanding of his current insulin regimen, making it less appropriate as an immediate field intervention without further assessment and guidance.

Question 14

A medical-grade glucometer is used to measure:

Accepted Answer

A medical-grade glucometer is used to measure blood sugar levels. Insulin levels, glycogen levels, and carbohydrate levels cannot be measured directly with a glucometer.

Question 15

The most common complaint of a diabetic patient for which EMS is summoned is:

Accepted Answer

Altered mental status is the most common complaint of a diabetic patient for which EMS is summoned. Diabetic patients may experience hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, which can cause confusion, disorientation, or even loss of consciousness. It is important for EMS to assess the patient's blood sugar level and provide appropriate treatment. While diabetic patients may have cravings for sugary foods, this is not typically the reason for EMS transport. Difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting may also be symptoms of diabetes but are not as frequently reported as altered mental status.

Question 16

You know an EMT is correctly using a glucometer when she performs which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Wasting the first drop of blood obtained from the patient's finger ensures that the sample is not contaminated with tissue fluids or debris, which can result in inaccurate readings. Cleaning the finger with alcohol prior to pricking it with a lancet is appropriate to disinfect the area. Asking the patient to hold his hand above his head prior to pricking a finger for blood has no impact on the accuracy of the reading. Using a lancet to prick an artery or vein for the blood sample is not appropriate, as it can cause significant bleeding and harm to the patient.

Question 17

An undiagnosed diabetic patient's insulin levels are elevated while the cellular receptors for the insulin are not sensitive (to the insulin). You would anticipate which of the following when caring for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Insulin allows glucose to enter the body's cells for energy. In an undiagnosed diabetic patient, insulin levels are elevated as the body tries to lower blood sugar levels. However, the cellular receptors for the insulin are not sensitive, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, in this case, the patient would have elevated blood sugar levels.

Question 18

The EMT would recognize dehydration as a concern in the diabetic patient because of:

Accepted Answer

Diabetic patients typically have high blood sugar levels which can cause an increase in urination frequency (polyuria) and subsequent fluid loss. This can lead to dehydration, which the EMT would recognize as a concern. A decreased desire to drink water may also be a sign of dehydration, but this is not specific to diabetic patients. Persistent diarrhea and vomiting leading to fluid loss may also contribute to dehydration, but these symptoms are not necessarily specific to diabetic patients.

Question 19

A patient who is unresponsive has a blood glucose level of 28. Her family states that she took her insulin in the morning 3 hours ago. Which one of the following statements made by the family would make sense in regards to the patient's current blood sugar level?

Accepted Answer

The patient's low blood sugar level could be due to not eating after taking insulin, which can cause an excessive reduction in blood glucose. Option A may indicate diabetes-related symptoms, but not necessarily explain the low blood sugar level. Option B may affect blood pressure and heart rate, but has no direct effect on blood sugar. Option D may cause high blood sugar, which is contradictory to the patient's current state.

Question 20

Which one of the following is the best means by which hypoglycemia can be differentiated from hyperglycemia?

Accepted Answer

The most definitive way to differentiate hypoglycemia from hyperglycemia is to evaluate the patient's blood sugar level. Hypoglycemia is characterized by low blood sugar levels, while hyperglycemia is characterized by high blood sugar levels. Other factors, such as rate at onset, signs and symptoms, and vital signs, may provide additional information and help in making a diagnosis, but they are not as specific or reliable as blood glucose measurements.

Quiz 20: Acute Diabetic Emergencies