# A conscious client with diabetes reports shakiness and sweating. The blood glucose is 58 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397150&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Illness Management  
> category: PA

## Question

A conscious client with diabetes reports shakiness and sweating. The blood glucose is 58 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take?

## Option

1. Administer scheduled long-acting insulin.
2. Place the client on nothing-by-mouth status.
3. Wait 1 hour and recheck the blood glucose.
4. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate. **✔ Correct answer**

**Correct answer: 4**

## Explanation

A conscious client with mild hypoglycemia should receive a fast-acting carbohydrate, often 15 g, followed by reassessment. Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Waiting delays treatment, and nothing-by-mouth status is not appropriate when the client can safely swallow.

## In-depth explanation

Clinical Judgment
Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Conscious client with hypoglycemia.

Memory Tip
Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.

KR vs US
NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.

## Clinical scenario

Clinical Practice Guide
For Conscious client with hypoglycemia, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.

Caution
Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.

## Key concepts

- **Hypoglycemia** — A blood glucose level below the expected range that can cause adrenergic and neurologic symptoms.
- **Fast-Acting Carbohydrate** — A rapidly absorbed carbohydrate used to raise blood glucose.
- **Reassessment** — A follow-up evaluation after an intervention to determine response.

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