Diabetes care tasks for school personnel
Diabetes care tasks | Signs* | Treatment | Outcome if not treated |
---|---|---|---|
Hypoglycemia recognition and treatment | Catecholamine effect (sweating, jitteriness, tachycardia, and palpitations) or neuroglycopenia (behavior change) | Glucose, wait 15 min, recheck, give food if blood glucose is adequate (based on DMMP) | Seizure or coma |
Know when and how to give glucagon | |||
Know when to contact parents or emergency medical services | |||
Have all contact information available on emergency plan | |||
Hyperglycemia recognition and treatment | Polyuria, polydipsia (most common), difficulty concentrating, headache, or irritability | Rapid- or short-acting insulin | Check for ketones. Follow directions for ketones if positive to avoid ketoacidosis |
Dose and frequency should be clearly elucidated on emergency plan to avoid “insulin stacking” and consequent hypoglycemia (DMMP) | |||
Insulin dosing technique (syringe/vial, pens, pumps) | |||
Insulin required (DMMP) | |||
Ketone checks and when to call parents | |||
Correction factor calculations and insulin for hyperglycemia and ketones |
DMMP, Diabetes Medical Management Plan.
↵* Varies among individuals but consistent within a given child.