What should you do if a student has a glucose reading of 52 mg/dL and shows symptoms of hypoglycemia?

When a student has a glucose reading of 52 mg/dL alongside symptoms of hypoglycemia, the immediate and effective response is to provide 15 grams of glucose. This is essential because hypoglycemia can lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly.

The primary goal in this situation is to quickly elevate the student’s blood sugar levels. Providing a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose gel, juice, or glucose tablets, can rapidly raise blood sugar levels within 15 to 20 minutes. Monitoring the student after administering glucose is also important to ensure their symptoms improve and their glucose levels return to a safe range.

Using water to address hypoglycemia would not provide the necessary glucose needed to alleviate the low blood sugar levels. Waiting to see if symptoms improve could lead to a dangerous situation, as hypoglycemia can worsen over time, causing severe health issues. Calling for immediate help may be warranted if the student does not respond to glucose, but the most effective first step is to administer glucose to counteract hypoglycemia.