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Scenario — Hypoglycaemia in a known diabetic at a community fun run
Patient Information
Dispatch
You are called to a patient (Sarah Nguyen, 35YO female) who is sitting slumped against the fence near the finish line of the Fremantle Community Fun Run. Bystanders report she finished her race and then became confused and unsteady.
Incident History
Pt completed the 10km fun run approximately 10 minutes ago. She was found sitting on the ground by a volunteer, confused and sweating heavily. Bystanders state she 'doesn't seem right' and is not responding normally to questions.
Emergency Contact
David Nguyen (Husband) 0412 384 917
Initial Rapid Assessment
Response
Voice
Airway
Patent. Nil airway obstruction. Nil stridor or swelling.
Breathing
Breathing present and adequate. RR slightly elevated. Nil audible wheeze or crackles.
Circulation
Radial pulse rapid and weak. Skin pale, cool and diaphoretic. Nil external bleeding.
Disability
GCS 12 (E3V3M6). Disoriented to time and place. Restless and irritable. Not orientated to time, place or person.
Exposure
Nil visible injuries. Wearing running gear. Medical alert bracelet on left wrist — 'Type 1 Diabetic'.
Vitals
Time SpO2 Resp Dist RR Pulse BP CRT GCS PERL Temp BGL Pain
Initial 97% (RA) Nil 20 112 108/70 <2s 12 4 4 ++ 37.2 2.1 mmol/L 2
10 mins 98% (RA) Nil 16 90 118/76 <2s 15 4 4 ++ 37.2 5.8 mmol/L 0
History Taking
Signs/Symptoms
Confusion, diaphoresis, weakness, shakiness, headache. Patient becomes more cooperative as glucose is administered and is able to provide some history.
Onset
Gradual onset over approximately 20–30 minutes during and after completing the fun run. Worsened after she stopped running.
Pain
Mild generalised headache — 2/10.
Quality
Feels weak, shaky and 'not with it'. Reports feeling very hungry.
Radiates
Nil
Severity
2/10 headache. Significant functional impairment from confusion.
Allergies
NKDA
Medications
Insulin (Novorapid and Lantus — self-administered). No other regular medications.
Pertinent History
Type 1 Diabetic — diagnosed age 14. Usually well controlled. Took her morning Novorapid dose before the run but did not eat enough beforehand. No previous episodes at events.
Last Oral Intake
Small bowl of cereal approximately 2.5 hours ago. Water only since.
Treatment
Nil. Bystanders offered water but she declined.
Events Leading
Pt registered and completed the 10km Fremantle Community Fun Run. Was found sitting against the fence near the finish chute by a race volunteer, appearing confused and unsteady after crossing the line.
Scenario Progression and Treatment Objectives

((If BGL is not checked within the first 3 minutes of assessment, the patient's GCS drops to 10 and she becomes increasingly difficult to rouse — prompt trainees: 'She's going quieter, what do you want to check?'))

((If Glucose Oral Gel is not administered within 5 minutes of identifying BGL < 4 mmol/L, patient begins to show teeth-clenching and arm trembling — prompt trainees: 'She appears to be getting worse — what is your next step?'))

((If trainees attempt to administer Glucose Oral Gel without first confirming GCS 15/15 or adequate swallow reflex — remind them: 'Her GCS is 12 — is she safe to swallow? Administer in small amounts into the cheek pouch if GCS is not 15.'))

((If trainees do not reassess BGL and GCS after 10 minutes — prompt trainees: 'It has been 10 minutes since treatment — what do you need to reassess?'))

((If trainees do not encourage complex carbohydrates after BGL normalises — prompt trainees: 'Her BGL is now 5.8 — is there anything else you should provide to prevent delayed hypoglycaemia?'))

This patient is suffering from hypoglycaemia secondary to insulin use combined with exertion and inadequate carbohydrate intake prior to exercise.

  • Don PPE — gloves at minimum prior to patient contact.
  • Perform Primary Survey — confirm patent airway, adequate breathing, and radial pulse present.
  • Position patient — seated on ground or supported against fence; do not stand patient up.
  • Identify medical alert bracelet — 'Type 1 Diabetic'; factor into clinical suspicion.
  • Perform Vital Sign Survey — obtain BGL, GCS, SpO2, RR, pulse, BP, temperature.
  • Confirm BGL 2.1 mmol/L — hypoglycaemia identified (< 4 mmol/L).
  • Assess conscious state — GCS 12; patient is not GCS 15/15, administer Glucose Oral Gel in small amounts into the buccal mucosa (cheek pouch) rather than having patient swallow directly.
  • Administer Glucose Oral Gel (Glutose/Glucogel) 15g (entire tube) — administered in small amounts into buccal mucosa given GCS 12 — indication: BGL 2.1 mmol/L with altered conscious state.
  • Reassess GCS and BGL at 10 minutes — expect GCS to improve toward 15/15 and BGL to rise above 4 mmol/L.
  • Once GCS 15/15 — encourage patient to consume complex carbohydrates (e.g. banana, muesli bar, sandwich from FAP supplies) to prevent delayed hypoglycaemia.
  • If BGL remains < 4 mmol/L at 10 minutes and patient GCS has improved to 15/15 — administer second dose of Glucose Oral Gel 15g orally.
  • Apply oxygen only if clinically indicated — SpO2 97% on RA, oxygen not required at this stage.
  • Monitor patient persistently — repeat full observations every 10 minutes.
  • Arrange transport via ambulance — encourage hospital transport for assessment and observation given insulin-dependent diabetes and exercise-induced hypoglycaemia episode.
  • Complete IMISTAMBO handover to ambulance crew on arrival.
  • Scenario ends on arrival of ambulance and IMISTAMBO handover.
  • Attention to hand hygiene will be given throughout the scenario.

Clinical references: Hypoglycaemia · Glucose Oral Gel · Blood Glucose Monitor · Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) · Primary Survey · Pulse Oximetry