A person awaiting minor surgery begins to behave strangely in the preanesthesia care unit of a hospital, is noticed to be diaphoretic and tachycardic, and then loses consciousness. She is wearing a Medic-Alert bracelet that states she is a diabetic on insulin. Which of the following actions should be undertaken immediately?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients awaiting surgery are advised not to eat (to be NPO), to avoid regurgitating and aspirating foods during anesthesia and surgery. A diabetic on insulin who begins to behave strangely may become neuroglycopenic. The patient described in this scenario is also showing adrenergic side effects of an insulin reaction. The patient should be treated without delay with intravenous dextrose to restore normoglycemia and normal mentation.

A Person Awaiting Minor Surgery Begins to Behave Strangely in the Preanesthesia