What is the recommended immediate treatment for hypoglycemia in a conscious patient?

What is the recommended immediate treatment for hypoglycemia in a conscious patient?

• A. Give 60 grams of sugar
• B. Drink water and rest
• C. Give 15 grams of sugar; goal is to raise blood sugar by 30-45 points
• D. Inject insulin

Answer: (C)

The main idea is to rapidly raise blood glucose in a conscious person with hypoglycemia using a small, fast-acting amount of carbohydrate and then reassess quickly. For someone who can swallow, about 15 grams of glucose as a quick-acting carbohydrate is recommended. This is enough to raise blood sugar by roughly 30–45 mg/dL, which moves the person out of the hypoglycemic range without causing large swings. After about 15 minutes, check the blood glucose again; if it’s still under the safe level, repeat the 15-gram dose and then provide a snack or meal to maintain levels. Giving a larger amount, like 60 grams, isn’t necessary for the immediate correction and can lead to overshoot and GI discomfort. Drinking water and resting won’t treat hypoglycemia because they don’t raise blood glucose. Injecting insulin would worsen hypoglycemia and is inappropriate in this situation.

The main idea is to rapidly raise blood glucose in a conscious person with hypoglycemia using a small, fast-acting amount of carbohydrate and then reassess quickly. For someone who can swallow, about 15 grams of glucose as a quick-acting carbohydrate is recommended. This is enough to raise blood sugar by roughly 30–45 mg/dL, which moves the person out of the hypoglycemic range without causing large swings. After about 15 minutes, check the blood glucose again; if it’s still under the safe level, repeat the 15-gram dose and then provide a snack or meal to maintain levels. Giving a larger amount, like 60 grams, isn’t necessary for the immediate correction and can lead to overshoot and GI discomfort. Drinking water and resting won’t treat hypoglycemia because they don’t raise blood glucose. Injecting insulin would worsen hypoglycemia and is inappropriate in this situation.