8.2 Endocrine & Special Needs

abdominal thrust

An emergency upward thrust to the abdomen used for a conscious choking person when appropriate

absorption

The movement of digested nutrients from the intestine into blood or lymph

adaptive / assistive devices

Tools designed to help a person eat, drink, or perform other tasks more independently

aspiration

Entry of food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway or lungs

aspiration precautions

Safety measures used to reduce the risk of food or liquid entering the airway

blood glucose

The amount of glucose present in the blood

choking

A partial or complete blockage of the airway by food or another object

diabetes

A condition in which the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose

diabetes type 1 (T1DM)

Diabetes in which the body makes little or no insulin because insulin-producing cells are destroyed

diabetes type 2 (T2DM)

Diabetes in which the body resists insulin or does not make enough insulin

diabetic diet

A meal plan designed to help manage blood glucose with balanced portions and carbohydrates

dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing

epiglottis

A flap of tissue that helps cover the airway during swallowing

gastronomy tube

A tube placed through the abdomen into the stomach to provide nutrition, fluid, or medication

gland

An organ or group of cells that produces and releases substances such as hormones

glucometer

A device used to measure blood glucose

glucose

A simple sugar used by body cells for energy

gonads

The ovaries or testes, which produce sex cells and hormones

hormones

Chemical messengers produced by glands that regulate body processes

hyperglycemia

Blood glucose that is higher than normal

hypoglycemia

Blood glucose that is lower than normal

insulin

A hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose enter cells and lowers blood glucose

nasogastric tube

A tube passed through the nose into the stomach

pancreas

An organ that makes insulin and digestive enzymes

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

A feeding tube placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach using an endoscope

prediabetes

Blood glucose above normal but not yet in the diabetes range

thickened fluids

Liquids changed to a thicker consistency to make swallowing safer for some people

thyroid

A gland in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism and other body functions

total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

Complete nutrition given directly into a vein when the digestive tract cannot be used

PEG

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (feeding tube)

TPN

Total Parental Nutrition

PO

By Mouth

FBS

Fasting Blood Sugar

DM

Diabetes Mellitus