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) assess for the presence of a medical identification tag.
2) administer 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
3) open and maintain her airway and assess breathing.
4) administer oral glucose between her cheek and gum.

Answer 1

In an emergency where a 59-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes is found unconscious, important steps include checking for a medical identification tag, administering oxygen, ensuring her airway is open and carefully assessing the situation before administering glucose due to the risk of aspiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

A man finds his 59-year-old wife unconscious on the couch. He states that she takes medications for type 2 diabetes and has not eaten for the past 24 hours. In this situation, one should first:

1. Assess for the presence of a medical identification tag to find any crucial medical information that might be pertinent to her current condition.
2. Administer 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, as it helps with various conditions by ensuring that the patient is receiving enough oxygen.
3. Open and maintain her airway and assess breathing as a clear airway is critical for the patient's oxygenation and overall condition.
4. Administer oral glucose between her cheek and gum may not be appropriate if the patient is unresponsive due to a risk of aspiration. Instead one should wait for emergency personnel or use other means of raising blood sugar that are safe for an unconscious person.