IN THE PT ENVIRONMENT
Acidosis (Hyperglycemia)
 Signs & Symptoms
 Gradual onset
 Flushed, dry skin
 Drowsy
 Fruity breath odor
 Deep, labored breathing
 Vomitting
 Dry tongue
 Thirsty, not hungry
 Large amounts of glucose in urine
Acidosis (Hyperglycemia)
 Don’t give the
patient sugar
 They need insulin
 Get help
Insulin Reaction (Hypoglycemia)
 Signs & Symptoms
 Sudden onset
 Pale, moist skin
 Excited, agitated
 Normal breath odor
 Normal to shallow breathing
 No vomitting
 Moist tongue
 Hungry, not thirsty
 Absent or slight glucose in urine
Insulin Reaction (Hypoglycemia)
 Intervention
 Give the
patient sugar
 Have the
patient rest
Orthostatic Hypotension
 Signs & Symptoms
 Dizziness
 Syncope
 Light headedness
 Intervention
 Check blood pressure
 Move the patient into an upright position gradually
 Wrap LE
 Ankle pumps
Shock
 Signs & Symptoms
 Pale, moist, cool skin
 Shallow irregular breathing
 Dilated pupils
 Weak, rapid pulse
 Diaphoresis
 Dizziness/nausea
 syncope
Shock
 Intervention
 Determine cause
 Monitor blood pressure and pulse
 Get help
 Patient supine with head slightly lower than LE
 Cool compress to forehead, and a blanket
 Patient stays quiet
 Gradually move patient upright after symptoms are gone
Seizures
 Intervention
 Put patient in a safe location & position (do not restrain
the patient)
 Get help
 Monitor rate and quality of respiration
 Keep airway open
 After convulsions, turn head to one side
 Patient should rest and cover patient for
modesty/privacy
Heat Exhaustion
 Signs & Symptoms
 Diaphoresis
 Nausea & headache
 Shallow, rapid breathing
 Weak, rapid pulse
 Pale skin
 Normal or slightly elevated
temperature
 Pupils normal
 Unconscious and
exhausted/collapse
Heat Exhaustion
 Intervention
 Move patient to a comfortable, shady, or ventilated
room
 Loosen / remove clothing
 Monitor vital signs and get help
 Cold compress to neck and head
 Have the patient drink water
 Observe for shock
Heat Stroke
 Signs & Symptoms
 Dry – no sweating
 Nausea and headache
 Labored breathing
 Strong, rapid pulse
 Flushed, gray skin
 Very elevated temperature (106° 110° F)
 Unconscious, exhausted,
collapse, convulsions
 Pupils contract and then dilate
Heat Stroke
 Intervention
 Patient should be placed semi-reclining, shady, well
ventilated area
 Remove clothing
 Monitor pulse and respiration
 Get help
 Cool quickly with lots of water or ice packs to wrists,
ankles, groin, axillas, lateral neck
 LIFE THREATENING
Discussion Question
 Have you ever been in an emergency situation or
witnessed one?
Questions???
 Pierson, F. (1999), Principles and Techniques of Patient
Care, 2nd Ed. WB Saunders.