If a patient's blood glucose is less than 60 and they are unable to swallow, what should you administer?

When a patient presents with a blood glucose level of less than 60 mg/dL and is unable to swallow, the priority is to administer a form of glucose that can rapidly increase their blood sugar levels to prevent serious complications such as loss of consciousness or seizures. The correct choice, dextrose 50% administered intravenously, is a strong and effective option for such situations.

Dextrose 50% can be given directly into a vein, leading to immediate availability of glucose for the body to utilize. This is particularly crucial when rapid intervention is needed, especially in cases where the patient's level of consciousness is compromised, preventing them from safely taking oral glucose.

Glucagon is a viable alternative if IV access cannot be established; however, it may take longer for the patient to respond, as it requires the body to mobilize its own glucose stores. This makes dextrose the preferred option in emergency situations where swift action is needed.

Other choices, such as sugar water administered orally or insulin, are not appropriate in this scenario. Sugar water is not feasible for a patient who cannot swallow, and insulin would further drop the blood glucose level, exacerbating the patient’s hypoglycemic state.

Thus, administering dextrose 50%