What is the recommended action for an adult with blood glucose less than 60 mg/dL who cannot obtain IV access?

Administering glucagon intramuscularly (IM) is the recommended action for an adult with a blood glucose level less than 60 mg/dL who cannot obtain intravenous (IV) access. This is because glucagon is a hormone that stimulates the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, effectively raising blood sugar levels.

In cases where a patient is experiencing severe hypoglycemia and is unable to safely swallow or take oral glucose, glucagon is an effective alternative. It can be administered IM, making it a viable option when IV access is not possible. The patient's impaired ability to consume oral glucose or the potential for aspiration makes glucagon the preferred treatment in this context.

Oral glucose is not suitable because the patient may be unable to swallow or adequately absorb the glucose, which could lead to no significant improvement in their blood sugar level. Monitoring without treatment would leave the patient vulnerable to further complications from hypoglycemia. Utilizing an oropharyngeal airway is unrelated to the management of low blood sugar and does not address the underlying problem.