Could be a symptom of something more serious! Treatment: Rule out injury from the fall Open airway & assess breathing Elevate feet if patient’s face is pale and cool Do not allow the patient to stand immediately. Once flat on ground, circulation is restored to the brain, and patient wakes up.When patient stands up, momentary decrease in perfusion to the brain.Sudden cardiac arrhythmias which can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain.Severe emotional challenge, fear or stress.Patient stands up too quickly after being dehydrated, illness, giving blood, heat stress, etc.Syncopal Episodes(fainting spell) May result from… If the diabetic patient is unconscious, arrange for prompt transport.In general, give conscious diabetic patients sugar by mouth and arrange for prompt transport.Misdiagnosis is common-it is not always easy to distinguish between insulin shock and diabetic coma.Increased hunger, thirst, and urination.
![altered mental status altered mental status](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d1/c1/6c/d1c16c74bb24435292a6a5ec799d5ade.jpg)
Occurs when the body has too much blood glucose and not enough insulin.Nothing by mouth if they are unconscious or unable to follow directions.If the patient is able to swallow, have him or her eat or drink something sweet.A person experiencing insulin shock may appear to be drunk or have personality changes.Rapid onset of symptoms (within minutes).Occurs if the body has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose.If the body does not produce enough insulin, the cells become “starved” for sugar and diabetes results.The body produces insulin, which enables glucose to move into individual cells.Caused by the body’s inability to process and use glucose.Some patients can be treated with drugs to dissolve the blood clot in their brain.Place an unresponsive patient in the recovery position.
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Be prepared to administer rescue breathing.If the patient is having a seizure, follow that protocol.Make sure head and shoulders are elevated.The first priority is to maintain an open and clear airway.Any abnormal findings, indicate possible stroke. Test for facial droop by having them smile. Test for slurred speech by having them repeat a simple phrase. Stroke Cincinnati Stroke Scale Test for arm drift by having patient hold arms straight out with eyes closed. Used by EMS providers and hospital staff to determine whether a patient may have experienced a stroke.Patient may be alert, confused, unresponsive, or unable to speak.Numbness/paralysis on one side of the body.Most strokes are caused by a blood clot that blocks blood supply to a part of the brain, but can also be cause by bleeding in brain.Leading cause of brain injury and disability in adults.Once the seizure stops, ensure an open airway and place the patient in the recovery position.
![altered mental status altered mental status](https://img.medscapestatic.com/pi/features/slideshow-slide/altered-mental-status-elderly-6010546/fig5.jpg)
Items should be moved away from patient to make area safe. Do not advise caller to hold patient or put anything in their mouth.
![altered mental status altered mental status](https://image.slideserve.com/171986/a-case-of-altered-mental-status-n.jpg)