How do you treat a suspected stroke patient with a low BGL?

How do you treat a suspected stroke patient with a low BGL?

• A. Take a BGL and give glucose to patient only if they can maintain their own airway.
• B. Perform Cincinnati stroke test
• C. Administer insulin
• D. Apply nonrebreather oxygen

Answer: (A)

Hypoglycemia can mimic a stroke, so the priority is to check blood glucose and treat a low reading promptly. If blood glucose is low, giving glucose is the correct step to restore brain glucose and reduce altered mental status, but only when the airway is protected and the patient can safely swallow. If the patient can maintain their own airway, oral glucose (or IV dextrose if available) can be given to raise the blood glucose quickly. If the patient cannot protect their airway, you would secure airway/breathing first and use IV glucose or glucagon as appropriate rather than oral glucose. Cincinnati stroke testing is an assessment tool, not a treatment for the underlying cause. Administering insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Providing oxygen alone does not address a low blood glucose and would not correct the problem.

Hypoglycemia can mimic a stroke, so the priority is to check blood glucose and treat a low reading promptly. If blood glucose is low, giving glucose is the correct step to restore brain glucose and reduce altered mental status, but only when the airway is protected and the patient can safely swallow. If the patient can maintain their own airway, oral glucose (or IV dextrose if available) can be given to raise the blood glucose quickly. If the patient cannot protect their airway, you would secure airway/breathing first and use IV glucose or glucagon as appropriate rather than oral glucose.

Cincinnati stroke testing is an assessment tool, not a treatment for the underlying cause. Administering insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Providing oxygen alone does not address a low blood glucose and would not correct the problem.