Glucose unconscious — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: E — Intravenous glucose 10% titrated to recovery

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as B · B = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E

C is correct: Severe hypoglycaemia with IV access should be treated promptly with intravenous glucose. A is less suitable because the dose is below standard severe adult asthma nebuliser dosing; B is less suitable because this is not a definitive treatment for the condition described; D is less suitable because it is a common auto-injector dose rather than the adult healthcare dose; E is less suitable because analgesia is important but does not replace the first physiological intervention. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: JRCALC Medicines Guidelines; Resuscitation Council UK; BNF