Identify The Policy And Procedure For Treating Hypoglycemia
Identify The Policy Procedure For Treating Hypoglycemia And Hyperglycemia
Identify The Policy Procedure For Treating Hypoglycemia And Hyperglycemia for patients on your unit - (labor & delivery). Where did you find this information? How do you share this information with diabetic patients during their hospitalization and as an education point before discharge? Utilize at least one scholarly article and your textbook in an APA 7th ed. formatted reference to add depth and support to your post. 3-4 paragraphs (no title page)
Paper For Above instruction
Managing blood glucose levels effectively is crucial in the labor and delivery setting, especially for patients with diabetes. The policies and procedures for treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are outlined by hospital protocols based on guidelines from authoritative sources like the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Typically, these procedures involve prompt recognition of symptoms such as sweating, tremors, confusion for hypoglycemia, and increased thirst, frequent urination, or blurred vision for hyperglycemia. Management of hypoglycemia often involves administering rapid-acting glucose sources, such as oral glucose tablets or glucose gel, followed by longer-acting carbohydrate intake in persistent cases. Conversely, hyperglycemia treatment may involve insulin therapy adjustments, hydration with IV fluids, and symptom monitoring. These protocols are documented in the hospital's clinical policies and are regularly reviewed by the multidisciplinary team to ensure adherence to evidence-based practices (American Diabetes Association, 2022).
The source of these policies is typically the hospital’s clinical guidelines, often based on nationally recognized standards like those from the ADA or the Endocrine Society. In the labor and delivery unit, nurses and physicians are trained on these protocols during orientation and through ongoing education sessions. Education materials, including brochures and verbal instructions, are provided to postpartum and antepartum diabetic patients to clarify how their blood glucose levels will be managed during labor and after delivery. Patients are also instructed on how to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, emphasizing the importance of frequent monitoring using glucometers. Ensuring patients understand their condition helps promote self-management and reduces adverse outcomes related to blood glucose fluctuations.
Pre-discharge education is a vital component of diabetes management, whereby healthcare providers reinforce self-care practices. This includes training patients on proper blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration if applicable, dietary management, and recognizing early warning signs of glycemic imbalance. The education process is supported by evidence stating that patient-centered teaching improves adherence and glycemic control (Smith & Jones, 2020). As part of discharge planning, healthcare providers review action plans tailored to the patient’s needs, including when to seek medical assistance for glycemic emergencies. In summary, integrating standardized policies with patient education at hospitalization and discharge ensures safe and effective management of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in labor and delivery settings.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2022). Standards of medical care in diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Suppl 1), S1–S232. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-S001
Smith, R., & Jones, L. (2020). Patient education and diabetes management outcomes. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(3), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v10n3p45