Planning ahead can help you stay in control of your blood sugar levels during illness. Being prepared can prevent a hospitalization or emergency room visit.
Complete this checklist of “things to do” with your doctor or diabetes educator before you get sick. Review it once a year for changes.
□ Know to keep taking your insulin or diabetes medications unless
____________________
____________________
Adjust your insulin by
____________________
____________________
□ Plan to maintain a meal plan containing 150 grams of carbohydrates. Have on hand for illness the following foods, which contain 15 grams of carbohydrates each in the amounts shown.
apple juice (1/2 cup)
regular soda (1/2 cup)
regular gelatin (1/2 cup)
crackers (6 squares)
bouillon (no calories)
sports drink (1 cup)
other: __________
□ Know when to monitor your blood glucose.
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
□ Know when to monitor your urine ketones:
When blood sugar level is greater than ____________.
Regardless of blood sugar level, when vomiting or experiencing diarrhea.
Remember to check the bottle of ketone test strips for an expiration date.
□ Know when to call your doctor or diabetes educator:
If your blood sugar level is greater than ________
If your ketones are _____for more than _____hours or if you do not urinate for more than ______hours
If vomiting lasts longer than _____hours
If you are dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include dry tongue and difficulty breathing.
If surgery or a test is planned that will prevent you from eating normally
Any time you have a question or concern about your blood sugar level
□ Know who to call during illness or an emergency:
Doctor ___________________
Daytime phone:
____________________
Evening/Weekend:
____________________
Diabetes educator
____________________
Daytime phone:
____________________
Evening/Weekend:
____________________
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