Which of the following is an acceptable form of sugar for hypoglycemia?

Which of the following is an acceptable form of sugar for hypoglycemia?

• A. Candies containing fructose or sucrose
• B. Diet soda
• C. Water
• D. Salt tablet

Answer: (A)

When hypoglycemia occurs, the goal is to raise blood glucose quickly with a fast-acting sugar that the body can absorb right away. Candies that contain simple sugars like fructose or sucrose fit this need well because they don’t require complex digestion and deliver glucose rapidly to the bloodstream. This makes them an effective, easy-to-use option to treat a low blood sugar in a conscious person who can swallow. Diet soda and water don’t provide sugar, so they won’t raise blood glucose. Salt tablets don’t affect blood glucose and aren’t used to treat hypoglycemia. After giving a quick-acting sugar, check the person’s glucose again in about 15 minutes and repeat if still low, or seek further help if they don’t improve or if they can’t swallow.

When hypoglycemia occurs, the goal is to raise blood glucose quickly with a fast-acting sugar that the body can absorb right away. Candies that contain simple sugars like fructose or sucrose fit this need well because they don’t require complex digestion and deliver glucose rapidly to the bloodstream. This makes them an effective, easy-to-use option to treat a low blood sugar in a conscious person who can swallow.

Diet soda and water don’t provide sugar, so they won’t raise blood glucose. Salt tablets don’t affect blood glucose and aren’t used to treat hypoglycemia.

After giving a quick-acting sugar, check the person’s glucose again in about 15 minutes and repeat if still low, or seek further help if they don’t improve or if they can’t swallow.