Medical Emergencies · single question
A conscious diabetic patient becomes hypoglycemic during treatment. The appropriate immediate management is to:
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Correct answer: A. Give oral carbohydrate (e.g., orange juice/glucose)
- A. Correct. For a CONSCIOUS, cooperative patient, give ~15 g oral fast-acting carbohydrate (juice, glucose tablets) and recheck — the 'rule of 15'.
- B. IM glucagon is reserved for UNCONSCIOUS patients who cannot swallow.
- C. IV dextrose is for unconscious patients or when IV access is available and oral intake is unsafe.
- D. Withholding carbohydrate from a treatable conscious hypoglycemic patient is inappropriate.
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