Study for the Missouri EFDA Basic Skills Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

In an emergency, which substance is appropriate to treat hypoglycemia?

Raising blood sugar quickly is the goal when someone is hypoglycemic. Glucose provides an immediate source of sugar to the bloodstream, making it the fastest way to reverse symptoms and restore brain function. In a dental emergency, if the patient is awake and able to swallow, give fast-acting glucose such as glucose tablets or gel (or a small amount of juice) and monitor the response. Epinephrine is used for severe allergic reactions or certain emergencies, not for low blood sugar. Insulin would lower blood sugar further, which is the opposite of what you want. Antibiotics do not affect blood glucose. So the best choice to treat hypoglycemia is glucose.

Raising blood sugar quickly is the goal when someone is hypoglycemic. Glucose provides an immediate source of sugar to the bloodstream, making it the fastest way to reverse symptoms and restore brain function. In a dental emergency, if the patient is awake and able to swallow, give fast-acting glucose such as glucose tablets or gel (or a small amount of juice) and monitor the response. Epinephrine is used for severe allergic reactions or certain emergencies, not for low blood sugar. Insulin would lower blood sugar further, which is the opposite of what you want. Antibiotics do not affect blood glucose. So the best choice to treat hypoglycemia is glucose.