The nurse teaches a client with type 1 diabetes about signs of hypoglycemia. The client should know to drink orange juice in response to which symptom?

The nurse teaches a client with type 1 diabetes about signs of hypoglycemia. The client should know to drink orange juice in response to which symptom?

• A. Nervous and weak
• B. Thirsty with a headache
• C. Flushed and short of breath
• D. Nausea and abdominal cramps

Answer: (A)

When blood glucose drops, the body triggers an adrenergic response that often produces nervousness and weakness. Those symptoms signal hypoglycemia, so taking a fast-acting simple carbohydrate like orange juice is the right move to raise the glucose quickly while the person can still swallow. The other symptoms described point to higher blood sugar or non-hypoglycemic issues—thirst with a headache suggests hyperglycemia, flushed and short of breath can occur with conditions like hyperglycemia or respiratory/metabolic problems, and nausea with abdominal cramps is more typical of GI upset or illness. After drinking juice, the blood glucose should be checked in about 15 minutes and repeated if still low, followed by a small snack if the next meal isn’t soon.

When blood glucose drops, the body triggers an adrenergic response that often produces nervousness and weakness. Those symptoms signal hypoglycemia, so taking a fast-acting simple carbohydrate like orange juice is the right move to raise the glucose quickly while the person can still swallow. The other symptoms described point to higher blood sugar or non-hypoglycemic issues—thirst with a headache suggests hyperglycemia, flushed and short of breath can occur with conditions like hyperglycemia or respiratory/metabolic problems, and nausea with abdominal cramps is more typical of GI upset or illness. After drinking juice, the blood glucose should be checked in about 15 minutes and repeated if still low, followed by a small snack if the next meal isn’t soon.