Beyond cardiac and respiratory emergencies, home caregivers regularly encounter seizures, diabetic crises, severe bleeding, and burns. Each requires a specific, practiced response — the wrong instinct in these situations can cause serious harm. This lesson covers the most common specific emergencies you will face.
Seizure Response
Seizures occur when abnormal electrical activity in the brain causes involuntary movement, altered consciousness, or unusual behavior. They can look alarming — but the caregiver's most important role is to stay calm and protect the client from injury.
- Stay with the client and start timing the seizure immediately
- Clear the area — remove hard, sharp, or dangerous objects from the immediate vicinity
- Cushion the head — place something soft under it
- Turn them gently onto their side (recovery position) once the convulsions slow — reduces aspiration risk
- Stay calm and speak reassuringly as the seizure ends
- Note what the seizure looked like — this description is critical clinical information
- Do NOT hold the person down or restrain their movements
- Do NOT put anything in their mouth — the tongue cannot be swallowed; you will cause injury
- Do NOT give food or water until fully alert
- Do NOT leave them alone
- Seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
- A second seizure starts without the person regaining consciousness
- The person does not regain normal consciousness within 10–15 minutes
- This is their first known seizure
- The person was injured during the seizure
- The person has diabetes, is pregnant, or has a fever
Diabetic Emergencies
Two opposite diabetic emergencies require completely different responses. Knowing which one you are dealing with is essential before acting.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) — Most Common Emergency
Signs: shakiness, sweating, confusion, pale skin, rapid heartbeat, hunger, irritability. If conscious and able to swallow: give 15g fast-acting carbohydrate (glucose tablets, 4oz juice, 4oz regular soda). Wait 15 minutes. Repeat if no improvement. If unconscious: call 911 — do not give anything by mouth.
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar) — Slower Onset
Signs: excessive thirst and urination, blurred vision, fruity-smelling breath, fatigue, headache. This develops over hours to days — not usually an immediate emergency. Call the supervising nurse same day. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) — a severe form — requires 911: vomiting, abdominal pain, very fruity breath, rapid deep breathing, altered consciousness.
Severe Bleeding Control
Significant uncontrolled bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes, especially in clients on blood thinners.
- Apply direct pressure immediately — use a clean cloth, gauze, or the cleanest material available. Press firmly and continuously. Do not remove the cloth to check — if it soaks through, add more material on top.
- Elevate if possible — raise the bleeding limb above the level of the heart while maintaining pressure.
- Call 911 if: bleeding is severe and not slowing within 10–15 minutes of direct pressure, the wound is deep or gaping, an artery appears to be involved (bright red, spurting blood), or the client is on blood thinners.
- Do not remove embedded objects — if something is embedded in the wound, apply pressure around it — not on it. Removing it can worsen bleeding significantly.
- Use gloves if available — universal precautions apply. If gloves are not immediately available, act first and protect later.
Burns
- Remove from heat source — stop the burning process first. Remove clothing and jewelry near the burn (unless stuck to the skin).
- Cool with cool running water — run cool (not ice cold) water over the burn for 10–20 minutes. Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste, or any home remedies — these worsen burns.
- Call 911 for: Burns covering a large area, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a joint, chemical or electrical burns, burns in which the skin appears white, brown, or black (full-thickness), or any burn in a client with diabetes or compromised circulation.
- Cover loosely — after cooling, cover loosely with a clean non-fluffy material (cling wrap is ideal, or a clean plastic bag). Do not wrap tightly or use fluffy materials that stick.
- Prevent shock — keep the client warm and as calm as possible. Do not give anything to eat or drink if the burn is severe.
Poisoning & Toxic Exposure
- Call Poison Control first for ingestion (1-800-222-1222) — they will tell you whether 911 is needed and what to do in the meantime. They are available 24/7.
- Call 911 immediately if the client is unconscious, not breathing, or having a seizure after a suspected poisoning.
- Do not induce vomiting — this was once recommended but is now known to cause additional harm for many substances. Never induce vomiting unless specifically directed by Poison Control.
- Collect information — what was ingested, how much, when. Bring the container to the phone for Poison Control and to the ER if 911 is called.
- Skin or eye exposure — flush the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. Call Poison Control for guidance.