Question

A 54-year-old golfer collapsed on the 17th green at the golf course. His friend said he wasn't feeling well after the eighth hole, but insisted on walking and finishing out the game. His skin is pale, cool, and diaphoretic, and he provides incoherent answers to your questions. An initial blood glucose measurement indicates 65 mg/dL. The patient loses consciousness and a second blood glucose level reads 48 mg/dL. You should select one:

A. call for, or rendezvous with, an ALS unit.
B. ensure a patent airway.
C. provide high-flow oxygen.
D. All of these answers are correct

Answer 1

The 54-year-old golfer is experiencing hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by dangerously low blood glucose levels, and requires emergency treatment including all listed options (option D) . Blood pressure readings as low as 70/45, alongside confusion and thirst, suggest hypovolemic shock, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient in the scenario is showing classic signs of hypoglycemia, which means their blood glucose levels are dangerously low. Symptoms including pale, cool, diaphoretic skin, incoherent speech, and loss of consciousness are indicative of this condition. It's caused by inadequate glucose supply to the brain, which relies exclusively on glucose for energy. Emergency treatment should include all of the following: calling for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit, ensuring a patent airway, and providing high-flow oxygen.

In terms of the patient with a blood pressure of 70/45 who is confused and complaining of thirst, these symptoms suggest hypovolemic shock, which is often caused by dehydration, blood loss, or other factors leading to a significant drop in blood volume and pressure. This could be due to various reasons, including severe dehydration or internal bleeding, and requires immediate medical attention.