If you know the victim is diabetic and is having a diabetic emergency, but you do not know whether it is a problem of high or low blood sugar, you should

• A. Withhold sugar until you know which
• B. Call emergency services
• C. Check blood glucose
• D. Give the victim sugar

Answer: (D)

Treat for a possible low blood sugar first when a diabetic who is conscious can swallow. Low blood sugar can rapidly cause confusion, fainting, or loss of consciousness, and giving glucose or a sugar-containing drink usually reverses it quickly. Since you don’t know whether the problem is high or low, giving a quick-acting sugar source is the safest, most reliable immediate step to prevent a dangerous drop in brain function. After giving sugar, monitor the person and check again in about 10 to 15 minutes. If there’s improvement, continue to monitor and offer additional sugar if needed; if there’s no improvement or the person becomes unconscious, call emergency services and do not give anything by mouth.