What Do You Know About Glucagon? Trivia Quiz

Glucagon is a hormone that is used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in emergency situations. When glucagon is administered, it causes the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels. However, one of the common side effects of glucagon is nausea and vomiting. This occurs because glucagon stimulates the digestive system, leading to an increase in gastric motility and secretion. Therefore, it is expected that a student may experience nausea and/or vomiting after glucagon administration.

Consistent glucose monitoring allows for early detection of low blood sugar levels, enabling prompt intervention to prevent severe hypoglycemia. By regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, any fluctuations can be identified and managed before they become critical, reducing the need for administering glucagon. This approach focuses on proactive prevention rather than reactive treatment, ensuring the stability and well-being of diabetic school-aged children.

Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar, can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions, and possible death if not corrected. When blood sugar levels drop too low, the brain does not receive enough fuel to function properly, leading to loss of consciousness. Severe hypoglycemia can also cause convulsions or seizures, which are involuntary muscle movements. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can be life-threatening and potentially result in death. Therefore, all of the mentioned outcomes are possible if hypoglycemia is not corrected.

Before giving glucagon, it is necessary to mix the diluent with the powdered glucagon and draw up the mixture into a syringe. This is because glucagon is typically supplied in a powdered form that needs to be reconstituted with a diluent before administration. Drawing up the mixture into a syringe ensures that the correct dosage is prepared and ready for injection. Weighing the student and calculating the dosage, taking their blood sugar, and obtaining a verbal order from the doctor may also be necessary steps in the process, but the immediate action required is to mix and draw up the glucagon mixture.

Glucagon is given when a student with diabetes has lost consciousness during severe hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels drop too low, and severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness. Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise blood sugar levels quickly, and it is administered in emergency situations to treat severe hypoglycemia and prevent further complications.

Turning the student on their side after administering glucagon is the correct action because it helps prevent choking if the student vomits. Glucagon is a medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and it can cause nausea or vomiting as a side effect. By turning the student on their side, any vomit can safely exit their mouth and prevent them from choking on it. Calling the parents and doctor may be necessary, but ensuring the student's safety and well-being by turning them on their side is the immediate priority. Taking the student's blood pressure is not necessary in this situation.

Giving glucagon to a student who does not need it is not dangerous. Glucagon is a hormone that helps increase blood sugar levels in cases of severe hypoglycemia. It is commonly used to treat individuals with diabetes who experience low blood sugar levels. If a student does not have low blood sugar, administering glucagon would not have any harmful effects. However, it is important to accurately assess the student's condition before administering any medication.

After giving the injection of glucagon, it takes approximately an hour for the student with diabetes to regain consciousness. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels, and it takes time for the body to respond to this hormone and for the blood sugar levels to normalize. Therefore, it is expected that the student will regain consciousness within an hour after receiving the injection.

School staff should be trained on emergency medications such as glucagon and EpiPen every 90 days to ensure they have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to administer these medications in case of an emergency. Regular training helps to reinforce proper procedures and protocols, ensuring the safety and well-being of students.

The student who has been given glucagon should go back to class. This suggests that the student's condition has stabilized after receiving the medication. However, it is important for the student to be checked by their licensed medical provider to ensure that their health is fully assessed and any necessary follow-up care is provided. Therefore, both options "Go back to class" and "Be checked by his/her licensed medical provider" are correct.