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The EMT student will have an understanding of diabetes, sickle cell disease, clotting disorders, and the complications associated with each. EMT students should be able to understand the characteristics of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and be able to list the appropriate steps for assessment and prehospital treatment of diabetic emergencies. Students should also be able to discuss hematologic emergencies, and describe sickle cell disease, hemophilia, thrombophilia, and deep vein thrombosis.


Knowledge Domains


Describe the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system and its main function in the body and discuss the role of glucose as a major source of energy for the body as well as its relationship to insulin.


Define the terms diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia and understand the differences between hypo and hyperglycemia to include the signs and symptoms of both. 


Understand the interventions for providing emergency medical care to both a conscious and unconscious patient with an altered mental status and a history of diabetes who is having symptomatic hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.


Identify the steps the EMT should follow when conducting a primary and secondary assessment of a patient with an altered mental status who is a suspected of having diabetes.


Know the indications, and contraindications for giving oral glucose to a patient with a decreased level of consciousness who has a history of diabetes.


Know the composition and functions of blood as well as describing the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, complications, and management of sickle cell disease.


Describe two types of blood clotting disorders, and the risk factors, characteristics, and management of each.