5.4 Describe actions to take if an individual is hyperglycaemic

This guide will help you answer 5.4 Describe actions to take if an individual is hyperglycaemic.

Always seek professional medical advice and follow your own organisation’s policies and procedures when taking any actions.

Hyperglycaemia means high blood sugar. It often affects people with diabetes. It happens when there is too much glucose in the blood.

Recognising the signs is important. You might notice someone feeling very thirsty, needing to urinate more often, or feeling very tired. Their breath may have a fruity smell. They may feel sick, have stomach pain, or blurred vision. In more severe cases, they may become confused or very drowsy.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Tiredness or weakness
• Blurred vision
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal (stomach) pain
• Confusion or drowsiness
• Rapid, deep breathing

Hyperglycaemia can happen slowly, often over several hours or days. It is important to know that these symptoms are different from those caused by low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), which can develop more quickly and often involves sweating, shaking and palpitations.

Why It Happens

Hyperglycaemia is most common in people with diabetes. It means either their body does not have enough insulin or their body cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter the cells where it is used for energy.

Hyperglycaemia can happen if:

• The person has missed a dose of insulin or other diabetes medicine.
• They have eaten too much sugar or carbohydrate.
• They are under stress.
• They are ill or have an infection.
• Their diabetes is not well controlled.

Knowing why hyperglycaemia happens helps you support the individual and prevent it from happening again.

Immediate Actions to Take

If you notice that someone has signs of high blood sugar, you must take action. Acting early helps prevent complications.

Here are the steps you should take:

Stay calm and reassure the individual

Speak to the person in a calm, reassuring way. This helps reduce anxiety and allows you to gain their trust. Stay with them so they do not become unsafe.

Check blood sugar level if possible

If you can, check their blood glucose level with a glucose meter. Most people with diabetes carry their own testing kit. Record the result. If you are unsure how to use the meter, ask the individual or a colleague with the right training. If you cannot test, make a note of symptoms and continue to observe.

Do not give sugary drinks or food

If the person is conscious and alert, and you know they are hyperglycaemic (not hypoglycaemic), do not give anything sugary. This will raise their blood glucose further.

Encourage the person to drink water

Give them water or a sugar-free drink if they are able to swallow safely. Drinking water helps flush extra glucose from the blood through the urine. Check how much they drink and monitor for signs of dehydration.

Help them take their prescribed medication

If the person takes insulin or other diabetes medicines, ask when they last took their dose. Follow their care plan or medication regimen. Never give insulin unless you are trained and the individual’s care plan specifically says you can. If in doubt, seek help.

Look for their individual care plan

Many individuals have a diabetes care plan. This gives information about what to do in different situations. Follow the care plan if available. If the plan is missing or unclear, seek further advice.

Monitor for signs of serious illness

Hyperglycaemia can lead to complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Watch for:

• Vomiting that will not stop
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Rapid breathing
• Fruity breath
• Becoming unresponsive

If these symptoms appear, call 999 for urgent medical help.

Record what has happened

Document your actions and observations clearly. Note the time symptoms started, blood glucose reading (if checked), and what you did.

Seek advice and escalate if needed

If you are unsure about what to do, contact your supervisor, manager, or a healthcare professional. Follow local policies for getting help.

When to Get Urgent Help

Act fast if the person:

• Loses consciousness
• Has rapid, deep breathing
• Becomes confused or very drowsy
• Is unable to keep down fluids
• Has very high blood glucose (usually above 17 mmol/L), if you have been able to test

Call 999 if they are unresponsive, very confused, having trouble breathing, or you suspect diabetic ketoacidosis. Doing nothing can result in serious harm or even death.

Supporting the Individual after an Event

After the immediate problem is managed, offer support to the person.

Talk to them about what happened. Encourage them to let their family, a key worker, or their diabetes nurse know if they have had an episode of hyperglycaemia. Review their care plan and inform managers about the incident.

Help the person understand possible causes, such as illness, missed medication, or changes in their diet.

Assist with:

• Making an appointment with their GP or diabetes nurse if needed
• Checking their blood glucose more often for a few days if they have their own monitor
• Keeping a record of future symptoms or test results

Encourage them to attend regular diabetes check-ups. Support good communication between everyone involved in their care.

Reducing the Risk of Future Episodes

Part of your role is to help prevent future problems.

Ways to help include:

• Support the person to take medication as prescribed
• Encourage healthy eating and regular meal times
• Remind them to stay hydrated
• Help them follow their diabetes care plan
• Notice early signs of illness or infection and encourage medical advice
• Monitor blood glucose if you have been trained and if it is part of your duties
• Report concerns to a healthcare professional if necessary

Education is important. Many individuals do not fully understand their condition or what can make it worse. Offer clear explanations and ask if they have any questions about their diabetes care.

Record Keeping and Communication

Recording and reporting are part of good practice.

After any episode of hyperglycaemia:

• Record what happened in the care notes
• Say when symptoms started, what you observed, what you did, and any advice you gave
• Communicate with managers or relevant health professionals as required by your workplace

Accurate record-keeping supports good care and keeps everyone informed.

Confidentiality must be respected. Share information only with those who need it for the person’s care.

Following Organisational Policies

Workplaces have policies on responding to health situations. These cover:

• When to call for a nurse, doctor, or ambulance
• Medication administration rules
• How to record incidents
• Supporting people with long-term conditions

Familiarise yourself with these policies. Do not go beyond your role or training. If you ever feel unsure, always ask for support.

Training and Competence

Only carry out tasks if you have received training.

You may be asked to check blood sugar, support medication, or follow specific care plans. Make sure you feel confident and have the right knowledge. If not, ask for extra training.

Never give insulin or diabetes tablets unless your training and your workplace policies allow this. Giving the wrong dose or medicine can cause harm. If unsure, always get help from a qualified person.

Empathy and Respect

Having high blood sugar can make someone feel unwell and worried. Use a caring and respectful approach. Listen to the individual’s concerns and offer support. Respect their choices about their own care. Involve them in decisions and ask how they prefer to be helped.

Some people may not want to talk about their condition. They may also feel embarrassed or frightened. Be understanding and offer reassurance.

Final Thoughts

Responding to hyperglycaemia in a health and social care setting is an important skill. You can make a difference by spotting early signs, knowing the right steps, and showing care and respect to the individual. Every action you take can help prevent serious illness.

Remember, working with individuals with diabetes means always being alert and ready to help. Keep learning, reflect on what went well, and talk with your team. Good support helps people with diabetes live safer, healthier lives.