How is severe hypoglycemia treated?

• A. Oral sugar only
• B. Activate EMS and administer glucagon
• C. Wait for symptom resolution
• D. Ignore and continue

Answer: (B)

Severe hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that requires rapid, decisive action to restore brain glucose. The best response is to activate emergency medical services and administer glucagon. Glucagon triggers the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, producing a quick rise in blood sugar within minutes, which is essential when the person cannot safely swallow or is unconscious. Relying on oral sugar in this situation is unsafe because it can cause choking or aspiration and may not act quickly enough. Waiting for symptoms to resolve or ignoring the problem can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, or death. Having EMS respond ensures professional monitoring and airway protection, and glucagon administration by a trained person with a glucagon kit provides a reliable, rapid treatment to raise glucose quickly in a severe episode.