The nurse is teaching the parents of a child who is experiencing difficulty with control of his diabetes. Which of the following agents should the nurse teach the parents to administer if their child loses consciousness and has a severe hypoglycemic reaction?
1. IV dextrose
2. Subcutaneous insulin
3. Subcutaneous glucagon
4. Oral fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: (3)
If the child has a severe hypoglycemic episode, he frequently is neurologically compromised. It is important to administer subcutaneous or intramuscular glucagon. Subcutaneous insulin would further worsen the child's condition. IV dextrose would be given in the hospital. Oral administration of fast-acting carbohydrates is reserved for the conscious child who is not having a severe hypoglycemic reaction. (Lehne, 7 ed., p. 672.)