Sick day advice for a young woman with type 1 diabetes
RCSI OSCE practice station
Counselling & explanation · 1 min to read · 10 min to perform
Check her understanding.
Ms Ciara MurphyI've been sick since last night and I can't eat. I thought I'd be fine if I just rested.
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You are the nurse in a diabetes day unit. Ciara Murphy, aged 19, has type 1 diabetes and has come in feeling unwell with vomiting since last night. Introduce yourself, confirm her identity and carry out a focused assessment, including her glucose and ketone results. Give her clear sick day advice. Decide where she should be cared for and arrange this by telephoning the doctor using ISBAR. Check her understanding. The doctor is available by phone.
What this station tests
- Long-acting insulin must never be stopped during illness.
- Ketones with vomiting and dehydration need same-day medical assessment.
- Check glucose and ketones every 2 to 4 hours when unwell.
- Use ISBAR for escalation and read the plan back.
- Teach-back and non-judgemental language help engagement.
Sources for the clinical content
- HSE: type 1 diabetes, when you are sick
- Diabetes Ireland: sick day management in type 1 diabetes
- HSE: ISBAR communication tool
- NMBI: Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics
- RCSI: overseas aptitude test preparation (public topic list)
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.