4. Case Study
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Olivia
Olivia is a 7 year old child who enjoys school and her friends, she also has a diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.
Her class just finished playing a game of Mantracker. She complains to you of feeling hungry, dizzy and having a headache. You notice her hand is shaking.
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Could Olivia be having a hypoglycemic event (low blood sugar)?
CompleteHeadache, shaky, dizzy, and hungry are all symptoms of hypoglycemia.- Headache, shaky, dizzy, and hungry are all symptoms of hypoglycemia. If you are ever in doubt of the symptoms treat it as low blood sugar.
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How Can you best help Olivia?
(Select the single best answer)
Complete- Ensuring that Olivia has a fast acting sugar is the best way to treat hypoglycemia. Follow her Diabetes Support plan. If there is a delegated care worker have them attend.
- While it is important to communicate to Olivia’s emergency contacts, in this moment, there is a more crucial intervention to assist Olivia.
- Based on Olivia’s symptoms of hypoglycemia do not delay treating the low blood sugar. Asking Olivia to walk inside may further lower her blood sugar. Help the student to treat the low where it is discovered.
- Glucagon is reserved for treating severe low blood sugar. Symptoms of severe low blood sugar include: inability to swallow, seizing, or unconsciousness.
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Immediately after drinking the juice box Olivia says she is hungry and is going to eat her granola bar. What is your response?
(Select the single best answer)
Complete- The granola bar may slow down how quickly the fast acting sugar raises her blood sugar. Refer to the Diabetes Support Plan.
- In general, school staff should assist Olivia to wait 15 minutes after the first juice box, then have her retest her blood sugar to determine if a second juice box is required. Refer to the Diabetes Support Plan. Contact the family if clarification is required after reviewing the plan.
- The initial juice box will take time to raise her blood sugar. School staff should assist Olivia to wait 15 minutes and then have her retest her blood sugar, to see if a second fast acting sugar is necessary. Refer to the Diabetes Support Plan.
- After Olivia takes her fast acting sugar she should not have anything to eat or drink. In 15 minutes, when she rechecks her blood sugar if it is 4.0mmol/L or greater she may be able to have a snack. Please refer to her Diabetes Support Plan. If the student has a delegated care worker contact them to attend to the student.
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Ethan
Ethan is a grade 10 student who enjoys math, reading, and soccer. He has Type 1 Diabetes.
He tells you that his glucose monitor is reading 20.0mmol/L (high blood sugar).
He complains of being thirsty, but is otherwise feeling well.
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How can you best support Ethan?
(Select all that apply)
CompleteFollow the instructions in the Diabetes Support Plan and allow the student to drink water and take bathroom breaks as necessary. Call the student’s parents if they become unwell.Even if the student is feeling well, it is important to allow them to address their symptoms. Follow the student’s Diabetes Support plan. -
Are the following statements True or False with regards to Ethan’s Type 1 Diabetes?
CompleteTFEating too much sugar likely caused Ethan to acquire Type 1 DiabetesEthan developed Type 1 Diabetes when his pancreas stopped producing insulinEthan may have been able to prevent getting Type 1 DiabetesEthan may outgrow Type 1 Diabetes- Type 1 Diabetes can be caused by eating too much sugar = False: Type 1 Diabetes is understood as an autoimmune disease, in which your immune system attacks your pancreas. The pancreas stops producing insulin. As a result the body is no longer able to use sugar for energy. It is not caused by eating too much sugar.
- Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin = True: Type 1 Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas stops producing insulin, as a result the body is no longer able to use sugar for energy.
- Type 1 Diabetes can be prevented = False: Type 1 Diabetes cannot be prevented, but it can be controlled through careful management and planning.
- Children may outgrow Type 1 Diabetes = False: Type 1 Diabetes is a lifelong condition. It can be controlled through careful management and planning.
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