Whether your patient recently learned that she has diabetes or she has been treating herself for years, during her hospitalization you should teachor reinforce-certain essential information about hypoglycemia. Be sure you cover the following areas:
- Explore the possible causes of hypoglycemia.
- Discuss the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Discuss how to recognize and treat hypoglycemia promptly.
- Remind her to carry a simple carbohydrate snack, such as peanut butter crackers, at all times to treat hypoglycemia.
- Explain the importance of wearing a bracelet or necklace or carrying a card that indicates she has diabetes.
- Discuss the importance of telling family and friends about her diabetes in case she has a hypoglycemic episode.
- If your patient uses insulin, recommend that she obtain a glucagon kit and teach her family and friends when and how to use it.
- Teach her to monitor her blood glucose level frequently.
- Explain the importance of a regular pattern for eating meals and administering insulin or oral antidiabetic drugs.
- Explain the need to adjust the amount of food, the timing of meals and snacks, or the times of insulin administration when she engages in strenuous physical activity.
- Explain the importance of checking with the physician before taking a new prescription or over-the-counter drug.
- Instruct her to tell her health care providers that she has diabetes and that she uses insulin or oral anti diabetic drugs, as appropriate.