Emergency Care in Diabetes

Insulin Shock (Hypoglycemia)

A patient in insulin shock needs sugar immediately. For the conscious patient, glucose should be administered by mouth in the form of fruit juice (e.g., orange juice), nondiet soft drinks, candy, honey, or table sugar dissolved in water. Improvement is usually fairly rapid after the glucose has been consumed. If the patient is unconscious, do not give anything by mouth because it may be aspirated into the lungs. Instead, provide the fastest possible transportation of the patient to an emergency care facility.

Diabetic Coma (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

The patient in diabetic coma needs insulin and therefore must be transported as soon as possible to an emergency care facility.