It is 2:00 PM and a patient who has been NPO since 12:00 AM for a bronchoscopy is complaining of a headache and shakiness and is extremely irritable. Vital signs are within normal limits, and a one touch glucose reads 50 mg/dL
Which action is most important for the nurse to take?
a. Have the patient eat a snack and drink milk.
b. Administer glucagon subcutaneously.
c. Call the bronchoscopy room to follow up with the delay.
d. Obtain an A1c test.
ANS: B
Irritability, nervousness, headache, tremors, dizziness, apprehension, sweating, cold and clammy skin, and hunger are symptoms of hypoglycemia. The patient has not eaten since the prior day. A blood glucose of 50 mg/dL is true hypoglycemia and needs to be dealt with immediately. Glucagon is preferred over PO intake, given that an endoscopy is scheduled. Having the patient eat a snack and drink milk, calling the bronchoscopy room, and obtaining an A1c test are not appropriate responses.
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