👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: emergency low-blood-sugar shot · rescue hormone
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Glucagon on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Use
Severe hypoglycemia, unconscious
Pt can't swallow → IM/SQ
📌 Mech
↑ glycogen → glucose (liver)
Raises blood glucose fast
✅ Do
Turn pt on side → vomiting
Give carbs when awake
Recheck BG q15min
🚩 Report
Ineffective if no glycogen
Nausea/vomiting common
📚 Glucagon — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone given to rapidly raise blood glucose in severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unconscious or unable to swallow oral sugar. It works by stimulating the liver to break down stored glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis). It is the go-to rescue for an unresponsive hypoglycemic patient who cannot safely take anything by mouth.
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Key points
Understand these first
Used for severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unconscious or cannot safely swallow oral carbohydrate.
Raises glucose by converting liver glycogen stores into glucose, so it is ineffective in patients with depleted glycogen (starvation, alcoholism, chronic illness).
Available as IM, subcutaneous, IV, and intranasal (Baqsimi) routes.
Vomiting is a common effect after the patient regains consciousness, so place them in a side-lying position to prevent aspiration.
Effect is temporary; the patient must eat a complex carbohydrate plus protein once alert to prevent rebound hypoglycemia.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Position the unconscious patient on their side to protect the airway because nausea and vomiting are common.
Administer promptly via IM, subQ, or intranasal route for an unresponsive hypoglycemic patient.
Recheck blood glucose 15 minutes after administration and repeat treatment if needed.
Once the patient is alert and can swallow, give a complex carbohydrate with protein to sustain glucose.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
No improvement in level of consciousness within 15 minutes — give IV dextrose (D50) and notify the provider.
Aspiration risk from post-dose vomiting — never leave an unconscious patient supine.
Ineffective in glycogen-depleted patients (chronic alcohol use, malnutrition) — IV glucose is required.
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Labs & values
Numbers to know
Severe hypoglycemia typically <54 mg/dL or <50 mg/dL with symptoms
Normal fasting glucose 70-99 mg/dL
Target post-treatment glucose >70 mg/dL
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Teach a family member or caregiver how and when to give the glucagon kit at home.
Always call 911 after giving glucagon for an unconscious person.
Turn the person on their side after the injection to prevent choking if they vomit.
Replace the kit before its expiration date and store as directed.
Give food (carbs plus protein) as soon as the person can swallow safely.
❓ Glucagon: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Glucagon?
Position the unconscious patient on their side to protect the airway because nausea and vomiting are common. Administer promptly via IM, subQ, or intranasal route for an unresponsive hypoglycemic patient. Recheck blood glucose 15 minutes after administration and repeat treatment if needed. Once the patient is alert and can swallow, give a complex carbohydrate with protein to sustain glucose.
What are the warning signs of Glucagon a nurse must report?
No improvement in level of consciousness within 15 minutes — give IV dextrose (D50) and notify the provider. Aspiration risk from post-dose vomiting — never leave an unconscious patient supine. Ineffective in glycogen-depleted patients (chronic alcohol use, malnutrition) — IV glucose is required.
What do I need to know about Glucagon for the NCLEX?
Used for severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unconscious or cannot safely swallow oral carbohydrate. Raises glucose by converting liver glycogen stores into glucose, so it is ineffective in patients with depleted glycogen (starvation, alcoholism, chronic illness). Available as IM, subcutaneous, IV, and intranasal (Baqsimi) routes. Vomiting is a common effect after the patient regains consciousness, so place them in a side-lying position to prevent aspiration.
What patient teaching is important for Glucagon?
Teach a family member or caregiver how and when to give the glucagon kit at home. Always call 911 after giving glucagon for an unconscious person. Turn the person on their side after the injection to prevent choking if they vomit. Replace the kit before its expiration date and store as directed.
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Quick Tip
Used for severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unconscious or cannot safely swallow oral carbohydrate.