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Multiple Choice

What is the recommended action for a conscious person with suspected hypoglycemia who can swallow?

When someone who is conscious and can swallow has suspected hypoglycemia, the priority is to raise their blood glucose quickly with a fast-acting carbohydrate. Give a glucose-containing substance such as glucose tablets or juice so the body can use the sugar right away. After giving it, monitor how they respond and recheck their glucose if you have a meter. If there’s no improvement within about 10–15 minutes, repeat the glucose dose and seek EMS if symptoms persist or worsen. Once symptoms are under control, offer a small snack to help maintain level and arrange follow-up care as needed. Water won’t raise blood sugar, injecting insulin would make things worse, and a snack without monitoring may not provide the rapid relief needed.

When someone who is conscious and can swallow has suspected hypoglycemia, the priority is to raise their blood glucose quickly with a fast-acting carbohydrate. Give a glucose-containing substance such as glucose tablets or juice so the body can use the sugar right away. After giving it, monitor how they respond and recheck their glucose if you have a meter. If there’s no improvement within about 10–15 minutes, repeat the glucose dose and seek EMS if symptoms persist or worsen. Once symptoms are under control, offer a small snack to help maintain level and arrange follow-up care as needed. Water won’t raise blood sugar, injecting insulin would make things worse, and a snack without monitoring may not provide the rapid relief needed.