Nausea is a common side effect after glucagon administration in severe hypoglycemia.

What is a common symptom of glucagon side effects?

• A. Diarrhea
• B. Nausea
• C. Headache
• D. Seizures

Answer: (B)

Nausea is a common side effect associated with glucagon administration. Glucagon is a hormone used primarily in emergency situations to treat severe hypoglycemia. When glucagon is administered, particularly in cases of a blood glucose emergency, it increases blood sugar levels by promoting the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver. While the primary aim is to quickly alleviate hypoglycemia, the rapid increase in blood sugar and the body's response can lead to gastrointestinal distress, commonly manifesting as nausea. This side effect is relatively benign but can lead to discomfort, prompting a more careful consideration of patient monitoring following glucagon administration. Other symptoms associated with glucagon might include some physiological reactions to the hormone or changes in blood glucose levels, but nausea stands out as a frequently reported side effect in the context of its therapeutic use.

Outline in brief

• Hook: Glucagon in action during a hypoglycemic emergency and what patients feel.

• What glucagon does: how it works in the liver to raise blood sugar.

• The common side effect: nausea as a frequent companion to glucagon use.

• Beyond nausea: other reactions and how EMS screens for them.

• Real-world practice: quick notes on administration, monitoring, and post-dose care.

• Practical takeaways for EMTs: clear, concise reminders you can carry on the truck.

• Gentle wrap-up: the human side of treating hypoglycemia with glucagon.

Glucagon on the scene: a practical reality for EMTs

Let me paint a familiar scene. You roll up to a home where a patient with diabetes is found confused, sweaty, and pale. The clock is ticking, and your priority is to restore brain fuel quickly. Glucagon is one of those tools that feels as straightforward as it is powerful: it prompts the liver to release glucose, nudging a calm return to baseline.

What glucagon actually does in the body

Glucagon is a hormone, but in EMS we think of it as a rescue signal. When administered, especially in a severe hypoglycemic emergency, it tells the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose. The glucose then enters the bloodstream, helping to raise blood sugar levels fast. This is lifesaving when a patient can’t or won’t take oral sugar, either because they’re not conscious or unable to swallow safely.

Think of it as flipping a switch that says, “Hey, sugar, come out and meet the brain.” The goal isn’t to cure diabetes; it’s to restore enough glucose so the patient can regain enough function to protect their airway, breathe comfortably, and participate in further care.

The common side effect: nausea—and why it shows up

Here’s the thing that often shows up in the small print and in the patient’s experience: nausea is a common side effect after glucagon administration. When you boost blood sugar quickly, the body sometimes reacts with queasiness. The gut doesn’t always love abrupt changes in energy supply, and that can manifest as nausea. It’s usually temporary and manageable, but it’s worth anticipating.

Why nausea happens, in plain terms: the rapid shift in blood glucose can affect the gut’s rhythm and the overall sense of well-being. Your job as an EMT is to recognize that this symptom isn’t a sign of a worse problem; it’s a known, common, manageable reaction to a lifesaving intervention. Some patients may feel a bit queasy or have a mild bout of stomach upset, and that’s not unusual.

Other potential reactions, not to alarm you

In addition to nausea, other changes can occur after glucagon. Some patients may experience headache, dizziness, or a temporary rise in heart rate and blood pressure as the body metabolizes glucose and responds to the hormonal shift. In a few cases, there might be vomiting if nausea becomes more intense. It’s not the norm, but it’s part of the spectrum you may encounter in the field.

The bigger picture about monitoring and aftercare

Administration is only half the job. After you give glucagon, the real work is watching and supporting the patient as their glucose comes back online. Here are practical steps that fit naturally into a field scenario:

• Reassess glucose quickly. If you have a glucometer on board, check the patient’s blood glucose level after the dose and keep monitoring.

• Ensure airway and posture. The patient should be kept on their side if possible (to protect the airway if vomiting occurs) and monitored for evolving mental status.

• Expect a gradual improvement. Glucagon works fast but not instantly. Some patients wake up enough to participate in care, while others may still be groggy for a bit.

• Prepare for a second course or alternative therapy if needed. If the patient remains hypoglycemic and cannot swallow safely, you’ll follow local protocol, which may include additional treatments or rapid transport to a hospital.

• Hydration and comfort. Nausea can be bothersome; gentle measures, such as easing the patient into a comfortable position and offering reassurance, can help as they recover.

Practical points you’ll use in the field

A few real-world cues that make glucagon use smoother:

• Brand names you’ll hear. Glucagon is often known by brand names like GlucaGen, and there are newer nasal forms like Baqsimi. The route may differ, but the principle is the same: push glucose into the bloodstream when oral intake isn’t possible.

• The patient’s history matters. If you know the patient has diabetes and is at risk for hypoglycemia, you’re more prepared to act quickly. If they’re conscious and able to swallow, you’ll still check their glucose level and decide the best route of treatment.

• Clear communication helps. Explain what you’re doing in simple terms. A calm, concise explanation can reduce fear and help the patient tolerate care, even when nausea is present.

• Documentation isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Record the dose given, the time, the patient’s response, and the subsequent glucose reading. It guides ongoing care and helps hospital teams pick up where you left off.

A few tangents that matter and circle back

Hypoglycemia isn’t just a medical label; it’s a real moment for the patient and for your crew. When you explain glucagon to a family member, you’re not just giving them a math problem about glycogen. You’re telling a story of quick thinking, careful monitoring, and a steady hand that keeps someone safe until they’re out of the woods. And yes, it’s a bit dramatic—in a good way—because the stakes are high and the improvements can be dramatic, too.

If you’ve ever wondered how EMS teams decide between injectable glucagon and nasal formulations, you’re not alone. Nasal glucagon offers a quick, needle-free option that can be easier to administer in some situations. Still, the core idea is the same: prompt glucose release to rescue the brain when consciousness is slipping. It’s a neat example of how medical tools adapt to field realities without losing sight of patient safety.

Language that helps in the moment

You’ll hear phrases like “glucose becomes available,” “rebound hypoglycemia risk,” or “monitor for nausea and vomiting.” These aren’t just medical terms; they’re shorthand that helps your team stay aligned during a tense moment. The cadence of your radio calls, the calm tono you bring to the patient, and the way you narrate the situation to a bystander all matter. It’s not just about what you know; it’s about how you convey it so everyone stays on the same page.

Putting it all together: a typical field flow

• You identify severe hypoglycemia or an unconscious patient with a known diabetes history.

• You administer glucagon per protocol.

• You monitor the patient’s response and watch for nausea or other side effects.

• You reassess blood sugar and continue transport or handoff to hospital staff as needed.

• You document the care you provided and the patient’s trajectory.

In the end, the goal is simple: restore enough glucose to support brain function, keep the airway safe, and stabilize the patient so they can receive any further care they need. Nausea, while not ideal, is a small price to pay for a quick, decisive intervention that can prevent a more serious decline.

A final thought for the road

Emergencies are where theory meets reality. You’ll memorize algorithms, you’ll learn doses, you’ll study side effects, and you’ll drill scenarios. But the moment you’re standing there with a patient who’s counting on you to buy time, what really matters is clarity, calm, and compassion. Glucagon is one of those tools that embodies that balance: it’s technically straightforward, biologically elegant, and, in the right hands, profoundly reassuring.

If you’re watching for a takeaway, here it is: nausea is the common side effect you’ll likely encounter with glucagon. It’s manageable, predictable, and a signal that the body is responding. Recognize it, monitor it, and move forward with the thoughtful care that defines EMS practice. And who knows? The next time you encounter a glucagon call, you’ll carry with you not only the knowledge but the confidence that comes from seeing it work in real time.