Diabetes Emergencies: Hyperglycaemia

Course Overview

This Ausmed Course will focus on hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which can have a catastrophic impact on the individual’s health requiring immediate hospital intervention.

Topics

• Metabolic disturbances
• Management of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic states
• Hyperglycaemia and sick day management

Need

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic health condition in Australia. While hyperglycaemia is present when diabetes is diagnosed, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels may remain high once treatment is instituted. Studies have shown a strong, consistent relationship between hyperglycaemia and microvascular and macrovascular diabetic complications such as nephropathy and amputation respectively. Additionally, hyperglycaemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), an acute complication associated with a high mortality rate if not efficiently and effectively treated.

Due to the high prevalence of diabetes in Australia, healthcare professionals will encounter people with this condition and one of the most important goals in the management of diabetes and prevention of complications is good glycaemic control.

Purpose

To provide healthcare professionals with current, evidence-based information concerning hyperglycaemia and its prevention and management, in order to prevent complications for the person with diabetes.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify patients at high risk of hyperglycaemia and initiate appropriate assessment, blood glucose monitoring, referral and pathology.
• Use knowledge of the pathophysiology of dysglycaemia to assist people with diabetes to recognise and act on presenting signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia.
• Link recommended emergency management of hyperglycaemia to evidence-based nursing practice to minimise the risk of complications to patients.

Target Audience

All healthcare professionals, especially credentialed diabetes educators.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Peta Tauchmann View profile

Peta Tauchmann has worked as a diabetes educator since 1998 and is the founder of Brisbane Diabetes Education Services. She works as a credentialled diabetes educator and Nurse Practitioner offering diabetes self-management education to people with diabetes, consulting services, health professional education, and lecturing for the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education and Management at Southern Cross University. Peta enjoys working in a field of healthcare that is people-facing, meaningful and constantly changing.