Protect EMT Practice Test

Oral glucose must be swallowed and the patient must be able to protect their airway. If someone is unresponsive or unable to swallow, there’s a real risk they could choke or aspirate the glucose into the lungs, which makes giving oral glucose unsafe. In that situation you would use alternate treatments for hypoglycemia, such as intravenous dextrose or intramuscular glucagon, and ensure airway protection.

If the patient can swallow safely, oral glucose is appropriate for hypoglycemia (for example, with a measured blood glucose below 70 mg/dL). Altered mental status alone isn’t a universal contraindication, but it highlights the importance of confirming the ability to swallow and protect the airway before giving oral glucose.