Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia means blood glucose is higher than expected for the person’s condition, meal timing, medications, and care plan. In diabetes care, hyperglycaemia may be mild and correctable, or it may signal a serious emergency such as diabetic ketoacidosis, called DKA, or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state, called HHS. DKA and HHS are life-threatening hyperglycaemic emergencies that require urgent recognition and treatment. Diabetes Canada describes DKA and HHS as emergencies with overlapping features, including dehydration and electrolyte loss caused by insulin deficiency and osmotic diuresis. For the RPN, the priority is early recognition, focused assessment, blood glucose monitoring, ketone awareness, hydration monitoring, medication safety, patient teaching, and timely escalation to the RN, prescriber, rapid response team, or emergency services according to policy.