Big Brother - Hypoglycemia Seizure

[Sara5229]

If someone is having a seizure as a result of hypoglycemia, wouldn't giving them something by mouth be a risk for aspiration? I'm asking this because I was watching Big Brother the other night and on of the contestants had a seizure and then the nurse was putting something in her mouth, is this what you normally do? I'm currently in nursing school and we just studied diabetes and hypo and hyperglycemia but we didn't really touch on what you would do if they were having a seizure.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

sure, you can do that, but you could also attempt to get an iv or give glucagon im. you can't convince me that rectal drugs would be faster

we were discussing a hypoglycemic episode in a home situation, not a healthcare setting. thanks anyway.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

she has a medical condition she is aware of but does not have glucotabs or even life savers with her glucometer..... What the??? This is why I don't watch these reality shows.

If you don't watch Big Brother you wouldn't understand why she didn't eat the cookie. I like reality shows but for those who don't there are plenty of other channels and choices. I do understand your Mom made you watch it.

[paccookie]

we were discussing a hypoglycemic episode in a home situation, not a healthcare setting. thanks anyway.

the big brother set is not a home situation. there was a nurse on set with a medical room of some sort ready for emergencies. if they didn't have basic supplies such as iv supplies and simple meds like d50, that's poor planning on the part of the production staff and the medical advisor, especially with a participant with a known history of hypoglycemia. the other girl was given epinephrine, so obviously the nurse had access to iv supplies and epinephrine, meaning she probably had a code cart available. code carts contain d50... see where i'm going with this? if a patient's blood glucose level is so low that they're having seizures, you shouldn't be wasting time with oral or rectal glucose when you have access to an iv and d50. if you're at home without access to such things, sure. but this isn't a "home" setting since you have the nurse available when needed.

[Nightcrawler, BSN, RN]

The Big Brother set is not a home situation. There was a nurse on set with a medical room of some sort ready for emergencies. If they didn't have basic supplies such as IV supplies and simple meds like D50, that's poor planning on the part of the production staff and the medical advisor, especially with a participant with a known history of hypoglycemia. The other girl was given epinephrine, so obviously the nurse had access to IV supplies and epinephrine, meaning she probably had a code cart available. Code carts contain D50... See where I'm going with this? If a patient's blood glucose level is so low that they're having seizures, you shouldn't be wasting time with oral or rectal glucose when you have access to an IV and D50. If you're at home without access to such things, sure. But this isn't a "home" setting since you have the nurse available when needed.

Actually, they used an Epipen, which does not necessitate the insertion of an IV. I think that the supplies that they have on hand are very limited. They have a nurse on site, but I don't know if she is dedicated to that show, or if she covers first aid emergencies for the entire lot. Both of the girls received minor treatment on site, and then were transported to a large hospital that is close by.