Unconscious hypoglycaemia — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyMedical EmergenciesUnconscious hypoglycaemiaDipIMC

A man with type 1 diabetes is unresponsive in a park with glucose 1.7 mmol/L. IV access is not immediately available and he cannot swallow. What is the most appropriate drug/dose?

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Correct answer: B — Glucagon 1 mg IM

Option B is correct because Severe hypoglycaemia without IV access and unsafe swallow can be treated with IM glucagon. Option C is less appropriate because that dose is an ALS cardiac-arrest dose and is unsafe for this non-arrest indication; option A is less appropriate because aspirin is useful in ACS but inappropriate for this presentation. Option D is less appropriate because untitrated opioid dosing can cause avoidable hypotension or respiratory depression; option E is less appropriate because steroids have delayed onset and should not replace the immediate treatment. Clinical pearl: in DipIMC-style questions, the best answer is the intervention that changes outcome earliest in the pre-hospital phase.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines