Emergency Intervention, Endocrine
Discussion: Just in Time Learning
Pursuant to Sec. 5 CSR 20-200.300. Training of School Employees in the Care Needed for Students with Diabetes–Training of school employees in the care needed for students with diabetes shall take place prior to the commencement of each school year, or as needed when a student with diabetes is newly enrolled at a school or a student is newly diagnosed with diabetes, but in no event more than thirty days following such enrollment or diagnosis. The school nurse or another health care professional with expertise in diabetes shall promptly provide follow-up training and supervision as needed. Coordination, delegation, and supervision of care shall be performed by a school nurse or other qualified health care professional.
Considerations:
- Low blood sugar in children with diabetes can have varied symptoms. These can include but are not limited to:
- nervousness,
- shakiness,
- weakness,
- extreme hunger,
- slight nausea,
- dizziness,
- headache,
- blurred vision,
- fast heartbeat and/or
- feeling tired.
- Based on the student’s Diabetes Medical Management Plan/health care provider’s order, low blood sugar is treated with some type of quick-acting oral sugar, such as candy, icing/cake frosting tube, and/or juice.
- Severe low blood sugar symptoms include disorientation, unconsciousness, and seizures. If not treated promptly it could lead to death.
- Glucagon is a medication used in emergency situations when the student is unresponsive or unable to swallow because of very low blood sugar.
- Given that when a student is having symptoms of severe low blood sugar, it can be a stressful situation, it is highly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the student’s emergency plan beforehand.
- The school nurse or other qualified health care professional must review the glucagon procedure with staff to ensure that they have the skills to perform this emergency medication administration.
- Store the Diabetes Medical Management Plan/health care provider’s order and glucagon in a location that is easily accessible during a severe blood sugar event.
- Be sure that staff members who have regular contact with the student know where the medication is stored.
- If the student self-carries their glucagon be sure to communicate with the student to know where they store their medication.
- The school nurse should develop a plan to systematically check the expiration date on medication to ensure medication is not expired.
- Remember to keep the student’s health care information confidential.
Supplies:
- GVOKE Hypopen
- Gloves
- Health care provider’s order/Diabetes Medical Management Plan and student’s Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP)
- Parent/Guardian authorization form
- Alcohol wipe
- Gauze or cotton ball
Procedure for medication administration:
- Identify that symptoms of a severe low blood sugar reaction are present and that based on the student’s Diabetes Medical Management Plan/health care provider’s order, emergency medication needs to be given
- Call for assistance
- Ask that another school staff person call 911 or emergency medical services
- If able, move the student to a lying position
- Explain the procedure to the student at their level of understanding
- Review the six rights of medication administration to be sure it is:
- The right student
- The right medication
- The right dose
- Being given at the right time
- Being given by the right route
- Being given for the right reason
- Check the medication expiration date
- Review the student’s allergy status
- Ensure proper documentation of parent/guardian authorization to administer medication
- Wash your hands, if possible
- Review the six rights again to ensure that it is:
- The right student
- The right medication
- The right dose
- Being given at the right time
- Being given by the right route
- Being given for the right reason
- Put on gloves; if gloves are not available continue with the procedure
- Tear open pouch at the dotted line and carefully remove the GVOKE HypoPen
- Look at the liquid medicine through the viewing window. It must be clear and colorless, or a pale yellow
- Do not use if the liquid contains lumps, flakes, or particles
- Do not inject if the solution is not visible in the viewing window
- Identify the location (stomach, thigh, or upper arm) for the injection
- Remove any clothing covering the injection site
- NOTE: GVOKE Hypopen cannot be administered through clothing
- If you have an alcohol wipe, cleanse the injection site
- Pull the red needle cap straight off the device
- Do not put your thumb, fingers, or hand on or near the needle guard or needle opening to help prevent accidental needle sticks
- Push and hold the GVOKE HypoPen straight down against the injection site
- Listen for a “Click”
- Hold the device down and count slowly to 5
- When the injection is complete, the viewing window will be red
- Do not lift up the GVOKE HypoPen until the injection is complete
- Once complete, lift the device straight up from the injection site
- The yellow needle guard will lock over the needle
- If the student is not lying on their side, move the student to a side-lying position because vomiting often follows the injection of glucagon
- If needed, ask another person for assistance
- If alone with student, and you have not already called 911 or emergency medical service, do so now
- Monitor the student’s arousal, pulse and respirations and for potential seizure
- If the student begins to seize, clear the area of anything hard or sharp, to prevent injury
- If breathing stops, move the student onto their back
- Begin rescue breaths
- If breathing and heartbeat stop, begin CPR
- As soon as the individual is awake and able to swallow, give the individual a fast-acting source of sugar (such as fruit juice)
- Once rescue squad arrives, inform them of medication administered, including type of medication, dose and time
- Send along glucagon kit along with used dose
- Dispose of all used materials in proper receptacles
- Remove gloves and wash hands
- Follow up with the parent or guardian and health care provider, as needed
- Document medication administration in the student’s medication administration log
References:
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Medications and treatments. Glucagon and other emergency glucose products. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/glucagon-other-emergency-glucose-products#:~:text=Glucagon%E2%80%94a%20hormone%20that%20raises,you%20in%20case%20of%20emergencies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 2). Seizure first aid. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm
Diabetic care may be provided to students, when, trained personnel to be on site. Missouri Revisor of Statutes 167.809. (2013). https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=167.809
Levitsky, L.L., & Misra, M. (2022). Hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In a J. I. Wolfsdorf (Ed.), UpToDate. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hypoglycemia-in-children-and-adolescents-with-type-1-diabetes-mellitus
National Association of School Nurses. (2022, June 15). School nursing evidence-based clinical practice guideline: Students with type 1 diabetes toolkit. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://cdn.fs.pathlms.com/HRuI7pAvQWiJPZdzH6i8
National Association of School Nurses. (2021). School nursing evidence-based clinical practice guideline: Students with type 1 diabetes. Silver Spring, MD: Author. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://learn.nasn.org/courses/37660
National Diabetes Education Program. (2016). Helping the student with diabetes succeed: a guide for school personnel. Retrieved June 2, 2023 from https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/NDEP-School-Guide-Full-508.pdf
Plan to be submitted by parent or guardian of student with diabetes — review by school. Revisor of Statutes 167.806. (2013). https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=167.806
Training of school employees, content, requirements. Revisor of Statutes 167.803. (2013). https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=167.803&bid=8398&hl=.
Training of school employees in the care needed for students with diabetes. Missouri Secretary of State: Code of State Regulations. Division 20–Division of learning services. Chapter 200–Office of college and career readiness. (2022).https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/5csr/5c20-200.pdf
Wyckoff, L. (2019). Students with diabetes.In J. Selekman, Shannon, R.A., Yonkaitis, C.F. (Eds.). School nursing, a comprehensive text (3rd ed., pp. 575-602). Philadelphia PA.: F.A. Davis Co.
Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023, April). Instructions for use Gvoke HypoPenTM (glucagon injection) auto-injector for subcutaneous use. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://gvokeglucagon.com/pdf/instructions-for-use-gvoke-hypopen.pdf
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Angie Bulmahn, MSN, RN, NCSN
School Nurse Specialist
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Marjorie Cole, MSN, RN, FASHA
State School Nurse Consultant
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Renee Falkner, BSN, RN
School Nurse Supervision Specialist | Therapylog
Katherine Park, DNP, RN, NCSN
Nationally Certified School Nurse, Pierremont Elementary
Adjunct Professor, Maryville University School of Nursing
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Page last updated February 21, 2024
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