Unconscious Hypoglycaemia Glucagon — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyPharmacology & TherapeuticsUnconscious Hypoglycaemia GlucagonORE Part 1

During dental treatment, an adult with type 1 diabetes becomes unconscious. Their capillary blood glucose is 1.8 mmol/L and they cannot swallow safely. Which treatment should be given immediately?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Give 1 mg glucagon by intramuscular injection

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · E = shown as B · A = shown as D · D = shown as E

A is correct. This is severe hypoglycaemia: the patient is unconscious and cannot swallow safely. Give 1 mg glucagon intramuscularly, while calling for emergency assistance and maintaining airway care/recovery position. The UK GlucaGen SmPC states that adults with severe hypoglycaemia should receive 1 mg glucagon by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection; intravenous glucose is indicated if there is no response within 10 minutes. Glucose gel and orange juice are inappropriate because oral treatment must not be given to an unconscious patient because of aspiration risk. Intravenous glucose can treat severe hypoglycaemia but is not the best immediate answer in this dental-practice scenario without established IV access. Insulin would further lower blood glucose.

Reference: Electronic Medicines Compendium. GlucaGen HypoKit 1 mg: Summary of Product Characteristics, section 4.2, accessed July 2026. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1289/smpc