Question

A student with diabetes tells the school nurse that he is feeling nervous and hungry. The nurse assesses the child and finds he has tachycardia and is diaphoretic with a blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L). What should the school nurse administer?

A) A combination of protein and carbohydrates, such as a small cup of yogurt
B) Two teaspoons of sugar dissolved in a cup of apple juice
C) Half of a cup of juice, followed by cheese and crackers
D) Half a sandwich with a protein based filling

Answer 1

The student with diabetes experiencing hypoglycemia should be given half a cup of juice immediately, followed by cheese and crackers to sustain normal blood glucose levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The school nurse is dealing with a case of hypoglycemia, where a student with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L). Symptoms such as nervousness, hunger, tachycardia, and sweating (diaphoretic) indicate that the student urgently needs to raise their blood glucose level. The correct immediate treatment option would be C) Half of a cup of juice, followed by cheese and crackers. This approach provides a quick-acting sugar (juice) to address the low blood sugar level and longer-lasting carbohydrates with some protein (cheese and crackers) to prevent rebound hypoglycemia.

The student's symptoms and blood glucose level suggest an urgent need for a rapid increase in blood sugar, which is best achieved with a simple carbohydrate such as juice. Subsequent consumption of a balanced snack with proteins and complex carbohydrates will help stabilize the student's blood glucose levels after the initial increase.