Diabetic Shock in Patients: Recognizing Symptoms & CNA Action Guide

So you have a diabetic patient, and your worried that they may go into diabetic shock. Here are some symptoms to watch for, and some advice on what to do, if you encounter a patient going into a diabetic shock. Remember that time is of the utmost importance, and you should quickly get help for the patient.

Things You'll Need

• Some common sense

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Instructions

• 1

  Listen for slurred speech. If the patient usually speaks clearly, and is now slurring words, this can be a sign of a person going into diabetic shock. Make sure that it's not just the patient being tired, make sure they really are having problems speaking clearly.

• 2

  Watch for lethargy. If the patient is diabetic, and they are lethargic, you need to immediately report this to your charge nurse. Acting quickly can prevent the patient from going into a diabetic coma.

• 3

  Be aware of the patient being unresponsive. If the patient becomes unresponsive, you need a nurse stat. immediately get help for the patient, if you don't get help, the patient could pass away. Leave the patient if necessary, and get immediate help.