skip to main content

Acute stroke hypoglycaemia mimic — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyMedical EmergenciesAcute stroke hypoglycaemia mimicDipIMC

A 68-year-old has slurred speech and right arm weakness in a supermarket. Capillary glucose is 2.1 mmol/L and he is sweaty and confused. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Treat hypoglycaemia and reassess neurological deficit

Treat hypoglycaemia and reassess neurological deficit is the best answer because low glucose can mimic stroke and must be corrected before final stroke pathway decisions. Perform a full secondary survey before treating the abnormality is less appropriate because secondary survey follows correction of immediate life threats; Transport without treating the identified time-critical problem is less appropriate because movement alone may not reverse the immediate physiology. Give a large crystalloid bolus before controlling the injury and Wait for imaging before intervening are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE Stroke guidance