👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: empagliflozin · Jardiance · dapagliflozin · Farxiga · canagliflozin · the -gliflozin diabetes pills
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent SGLT2 Inhibitors on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Mech
Blocks kidney glucose reabsorb
Excretes glucose in urine
ex: -gliflozin (empagliflozin)
🎓 Teach
↑ fluids, good hygiene
Cardio + renal protective
🚩 Report
UTI + genital yeast infx
Euglycemic DKA possible
Fournier gangrene rare
🩺 Signs
Polyuria → dehydration
Orthostatic hypotension
📚 SGLT2 Inhibitors — 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.
SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin) are oral antidiabetic drugs that lower glucose by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidney, causing excess glucose to be excreted in the urine (glucosuria). Beyond glucose control, they provide cardiovascular and renal protection and are used in heart failure and chronic kidney disease. The 'flozin' suffix flushes sugar out through the urine.
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Key points
Understand these first
Mechanism: block sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the proximal renal tubule, increasing urinary glucose excretion.
Cause osmotic diuresis leading to increased urination, dehydration risk, and modest weight loss and blood pressure reduction.
Increased urinary glucose raises the risk of genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections.
Provide proven cardiovascular and kidney protection; used in heart failure and CKD even in some non-diabetics.
Can cause euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA with near-normal glucose) and serious genital infection (Fournier gangrene).
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Monitor hydration status, blood pressure, and renal function due to diuretic effect.
Assess for and teach prevention of genital and urinary tract infections with good perineal hygiene.
Hold the drug before major surgery or during acute illness to reduce euglycemic DKA risk.
Encourage adequate fluid intake and monitor for orthostatic hypotension.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Euglycemic DKA — nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rapid breathing even with normal glucose; report immediately.
Severe perineal pain, swelling, redness, or fever — possible Fournier gangrene; report now.
Never continue during prolonged fasting, dehydration, or acute serious illness without provider guidance.
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Labs & values
Numbers to know
Fasting blood glucose 70-99 mg/dL
HbA1c goal generally <7%
Monitor eGFR (drug effectiveness declines as renal function falls)
Check ketones if DKA suspected despite normal glucose
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Patient teaching
What patients must know
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and dizziness when standing.
Practice good perineal hygiene and report itching, discharge, or burning with urination.
Recognize DKA symptoms (nausea, vomiting, belly pain, fruity breath, fast breathing) and seek care even if glucose seems normal.
Report any genital pain, swelling, or redness with fever immediately.
Hold the medication and call the provider if you cannot eat or drink due to illness or before surgery.
❓ SGLT2 Inhibitors: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for SGLT2 Inhibitors?
Monitor hydration status, blood pressure, and renal function due to diuretic effect. Assess for and teach prevention of genital and urinary tract infections with good perineal hygiene. Hold the drug before major surgery or during acute illness to reduce euglycemic DKA risk. Encourage adequate fluid intake and monitor for orthostatic hypotension.
What are the warning signs of SGLT2 Inhibitors a nurse must report?
Euglycemic DKA — nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rapid breathing even with normal glucose; report immediately. Severe perineal pain, swelling, redness, or fever — possible Fournier gangrene; report now. Never continue during prolonged fasting, dehydration, or acute serious illness without provider guidance.
What do I need to know about SGLT2 Inhibitors for the NCLEX?
Mechanism: block sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the proximal renal tubule, increasing urinary glucose excretion. Cause osmotic diuresis leading to increased urination, dehydration risk, and modest weight loss and blood pressure reduction. Increased urinary glucose raises the risk of genital yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Provide proven cardiovascular and kidney protection; used in heart failure and CKD even in some non-diabetics.
What patient teaching is important for SGLT2 Inhibitors?
Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and dizziness when standing. Practice good perineal hygiene and report itching, discharge, or burning with urination. Recognize DKA symptoms (nausea, vomiting, belly pain, fruity breath, fast breathing) and seek care even if glucose seems normal. Report any genital pain, swelling, or redness with fever immediately.
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Quick Tip
Mechanism: block sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 in the proximal renal tubule, increasing urinary glucose excretion.