Which rule is used to treat hypoglycemia?

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

The 'Rule of 15' is the standard guideline for treating a conscious person with hypoglycemia.
The protocol involves consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates.
After consumption, the person should wait 15 minutes.
Blood glucose is then rechecked, and the process is repeated if the level remains low (typically below 70 mg/dL).

Option A: The 'Rule of 5' is not a standard, widely recognized medical rule for managing hypoglycemia.
Option B: The 'Rule of 9s' is a method used in emergency medicine to estimate the percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) affected by a burn.
Option C: The 'Rule of 10s' is a traditional guideline for determining if an infant is ready for cleft lip repair surgery.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Management of Hypoglycemia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing and treating hypoglycemia promptly is a critical nursing skill to prevent serious complications like seizures, loss of consciousness, and brain damage.
Nurses must educate patients with diabetes and their families on the 'Rule of 15' for self-management of low blood sugar episodes.
What if? If the patient is found unconscious or is unable to swallow, the 'Rule of 15' is contraindicated. The nurse's priority action changes to administering parenteral treatment, such as an intramuscular injection of glucagon or intravenous dextrose, to rapidly raise blood glucose.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the treatment for 'hypoglycemia'.
This is a factual recall question that requires knowledge of common medical rules and protocols.
Mentally review the different 'rules' you know from your nursing studies (e.g., Rule of 9s, Rule of 10s).
Evaluate each option to see which one relates to blood sugar management.
The 'Rule of 15' directly addresses hypoglycemia treatment: 15 grams of carbs, wait 15 minutes.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their correct applications (burns for Rule of 9s, cleft lip surgery for Rule of 10s), confirming that the Rule of 15 is the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QiiMNQZdJxn5oxbLK--9f7

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 761-763

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1140-1142

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1027-1029

Practise the full MP CHO - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.