Prevention and management of hyperglycaemic crisis
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD    

Prevention and management of hyperglycaemic crisis

Lisa Broadley Senior lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England
Kerry Clark Lecturer, School of Nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England
Georgina Ritchie Senior lecturer School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To enhance your knowledge of the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and hyperglycaemia

  • To understand the causes and clinical manifestations of hyperglycaemic crises, and the strategies used to prevent their recurrence

  • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers)

  • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)

Hyperglycaemia is a defining feature of diabetes mellitus. It involves an elevated level of glucose in the blood, which develops as a result of the body’s inability to produce insulin or process insulin effectively. If left unchecked and untreated, patients with diabetes are at risk of short-term, potentially life-threatening hyperglycaemic crises such as diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state. Nurses frequently care for patients diagnosed with diabetes in various clinical settings; therefore, it is essential that they have an awareness of the prevention and management of hyperglycaemia and hyperglycaemic crises. This article explains the causes and clinical manifestations of hyperglycaemic crises, and details the management of patients with these conditions, in accordance with national guidelines.

Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2019.e11387

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@RitchieGeorgina

Correspondence

GLRitchie@uclan.ac.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Broadley L, Clark K, Ritchie G (2019) Prevention and management of hyperglycaemic crisis. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2019.e11387

Published online: 20 May 2019

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