Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What should you do if a glucometer reads "error" after two attempts on an unresponsive diabetic patient?

1. Administer oral glucose immediately

2. Start an IV and administer 50 mL of 50% dextrose

3. Call for additional medical assistance

4. Continue attempting to get a blood glucose reading

The correct answer is: Start an IV and administer 50 mL of 50% dextrose

When faced with a glucometer reading "error" after two attempts on an unresponsive diabetic patient, the appropriate course of action is to start an IV and administer 50 mL of 50% dextrose. This decision is grounded in the immediate need to address the patient's potentially life-threatening condition without delay. In an unresponsive diabetic patient, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a critical risk that requires prompt treatment. The administration of oral glucose would not be feasible since the patient is unresponsive and unable to swallow safely. Calling for additional medical assistance, while important in certain situations, does not address the urgent need for glucose and could lead to delays in treatment that might jeopardize the patient's well-being. Continuing to attempt blood glucose readings would not be productive, especially if prior attempts have yielded an error; time is of the essence in such scenarios. Therefore, initiating an IV access allows for the rapid delivery of glucose directly into the bloodstream, which is effective in correcting hypoglycemia. Administering 50 mL of 50% dextrose is a standardized and effective intervention in emergency situations where rapid blood sugar elevation is necessary.