Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What should you do if a confused patient with a blood glucose of 50 mg/dL shows a sudden decrease in consciousness after receiving oral glucose?

1. Assess her airway and treat accordingly

2. Administer additional glucose

3. Transport the patient immediately

4. Check her blood glucose again

The correct answer is: Assess her airway and treat accordingly

In a situation where a confused patient with hypoglycemia presents a blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL and exhibits a sudden decrease in consciousness after receiving oral glucose, the priority is to assess the patient's airway and treat accordingly. When a patient's level of consciousness decreases, there is an increased risk of airway compromise due to potential loss of protective reflexes, which can lead to aspiration or inadequate ventilation. Assessing the airway involves checking if the patient can maintain their own airway or if interventions such as positioning or utilizing airway adjuncts are necessary. Once the airway is secured, further assessment can continue, and appropriate interventions can be taken based on the patient's breathing and circulation status. The other options, while they may seem relevant, do not address the immediate concern of ensuring the patient's airway is secure first. Administering additional glucose might not be safe if the patient is unable to protect their airway, as it could lead to aspiration. Transporting the patient immediately does not allow for the necessary assessment and intervention that may be needed in the interim. Checking blood glucose levels again is also important but should not take priority over securing the airway in the face of decreased consciousness. Therefore, the focus on airway assessment is the most critical step in this scenario.