Glucagon vs IV Dextrose

[the_negro_puppy]

I wouldn't call it neglect, but if a patient can talk, they can swallow.

Its not as black and white as this



What about someone who is GCS 9 E2V3M4 making inappropriate verbal/speech


Would you give them oral glucose still?

 

[MedicOut]

Cost

Not that cost ever changes how we treat.....but did you guys know that a single vial of glucagon costs around $65.00?

I am the medication guru at my service so I know all the costs of this stuff.

Crazy, huh?

We have a brittle diabetic who has no veins and he has this window of lethargic behavior just before he gets really combative. He usually gets glucagon. Big dude, well-nourished, skin like leather up to his armpits. As soon as he is alert enough, I feed him a peanut butter sandwich.

Oral glucose is surprisingly expensive as well!

 

[phildo]

Have his family keep cake icing in a tube at hand. Cheap, effective. Tastes better than the oral glucose (have you ever tried it?)

 

[MedicOut]

Oh yes, I've definitely done the icing trick. In this particular case, that will involve the family actually giving a c$%p about the patient.