Hypoglycaemia in hospitalised adults

Hypoglycaemia must be treated urgently in all hospitalised adults; follow local protocols if available or see Hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes. Any unwell hospitalised adult should have their blood glucose concentration checked.

After the hypoglycaemia has resolved, ascertain the cause and whether the adult is at risk of further episodes of hypoglycaemia. For example, a patient on nasogastric feeds may need intravenous glucose if the nasogastric feeding tube is dislodged and long-acting insulin has been given. Similarly, a reduction in glucocorticoid dose may result in hypoglycaemia if the dose of insulin or other antihyperglycaemic drug has not also been reduced.