Diabetic Emergencies in Primary Care course for GPs

This session describes the pathogenesis, initial clinical assessment and first aid treatment for common and less common diabetic emergencies, including diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia syndrome and hypoglycaemia.

This session was reviewed by Khyati Bakhai and last updated in June 2019.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the pathogenesis of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic syndrome
• Explain how to recognise diabetic ketoacidosis
• Identify patients with suspected hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic syndrome
• Describe how to recognise and treat hypoglycaemic coma
• Recognise how to manage diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic syndrome whilst awaiting transfer to hospital

The pathogenesis of Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is less well understood than that of DKA.