Hypoglycemia
Topic: Medical-surgical
Blood glucose below 70 mg/dL; below 54 mg/dL is level 2 hypoglycemia, which needs immediate treatment. Sweating, shakiness, palpitations, hunger, confusion and loss of consciousness can occur; it is common with insulin and sulfonylureas. In a conscious client use the 15-15 rule: give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck after 15 minutes and repeat until glucose is at least 70 mg/dL, then give a snack or meal. Give nothing by mouth to an unconscious client: call for help and give glucagon or IV glucose as ordered.
- Also known as:
- Low blood sugar, Low blood glucose
- In Turkish:
- Hipoglisemi
What does Hypoglycemia mean?
Hypoglycemia is part of the Medical-surgical topic in nursing. Students meet it in class, on clinical placements and while preparing for exams.
Search the whole glossary, add terms to your sets and review them in the Finito Nursing app.