ilikeyourjacket t1_jdcp1bw wrote on March 23, 2023 at 1:35 PM

Reply to comment by Nimelennar in (Biology) How far down your spine can you break before respiratory impairment? by Anomaly-Friend

Hmmm I think I would be wary putting something in the mouth of someone who is completely unconscious as they have a high risk of aspirating because they lose their protective airway reflexes.

But by all means if someone has reduced consciousness but they’re still able to swallow then we essentially use exactly that in the hospital context: a sugary gel as first line treatment of hypoglycaemia.

Nimelennar t1_jdctp7t wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:09 PM

I think that's the rationale behind putting it in the cheek (i.e. between the teeth and the lips), and of using a gel instead of a less viscous liquid like a juice: to minimize the risk of aspirating it.

At least one first aid instructor I've had has suggested running the gel into the flesh of the lips and gums, which should reduce that risk even further, but I don't think that was ever a formal part of the training.

jackyj888 t1_jddjksx wrote on March 23, 2023 at 4:57 PM

You are correct. It is absolutely against common medical teaching and 99% of prehospital protocols to put glucose paste or anything else in the mouth of an unconcious diabetic. Altered LOC, sure, but not unconcious.

I'm sure you also know as a nurse that it would be absolutely a bad idea to start administration of sugar or insulin prior to obtaining blood glucose.