Question

A man finds his 59-year-old wife unconscious on the couch. He states that she takes medications for type 2 diabetes. He further tells you that his wife has been ill recently and has not eaten for the past 24 hours. Your assessment reveals that the patient is unresponsive. You should __________.

1) quickly assess for the presence of a medical identification tag.
2) administer 100
3) open and maintain her airway and assess breathing.
4) administer oral glucose between her cheek and gum.

Answer 1

The immediate step is to open and maintain the airway, assess for breathing, and begin CPR if necessary. A medical identification tag should be checked as soon as the patient is stable, and one should not administer oral glucose to an unconscious person.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario given, where a 59-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes is found unconscious and has not eaten for 24 hours, it is crucial to handle the situation with a protocol that prioritizes immediate and potentially life-saving care. The correct first step is to open and maintain her airway and assess her breathing, as ensuring an open airway and oxygenation is the most critical concern in any unresponsive patient. If after opening the airway the patient is not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR and call for emergency medical services immediately. Once the airway and breathing are secure and help is on the way, you can then proceed to quickly check for a medical identification tag to gather more information about her medical history.

Since she is unresponsive and unable to swallow, do not administer oral glucose or anything else by mouth, as this can lead to aspiration. Instead, medical professionals upon arrival will assess and administer the necessary treatments which could include intravenous glucose or glucagon if hypoglycemia is suspected. It's important to note that untreated hypoglycemia can lead to severe complications, including coma or death, in individuals with diabetes.