Free BCEN Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) Practice Question

The most appropriate initial treatment for a patient with a blood glucose reading of 35 mg/dL is IV administration of dextrose. This approach rapidly increases blood glucose levels, which is critical in an unconscious patient. While a glucagon injection can also raise blood glucose, it is usually used in settings where IV access is not available. Oral glucose gels cannot be administered to unconscious patients due to the risk of aspiration.