It is 2:00 PM and a patient who has been NPO since 12 AM for a bronchoscopy is complaining of a headache and shakiness, and is extremely irritable.Vital signs are within normal limits, and a one touch glucose reads 50 mg/dL.Which action is most important for the nurse to take?

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Irritability, nervousness, headache, tremors, dizziness, apprehension, sweating, cold and clammy skin, and hunger are symptoms of hypoglycemia.The patient has not eaten since the prior day.A blood glucose of 50 mg/dL is true hypoglycemia and needs to be dealt with immediately.Glucagon is preferred over PO intake, given that an endoscopy is scheduled.Having the patient eat a snack and drink milk, calling the bronchoscopy room, and obtaining an A_1c test are not appropriate responses.

It Is 2:00 PM and a Patient Who Has Been