What is the standard oral glucose dose for adult patients?

• A. 60-100 g
• B. 15-45 g
• C. 5-15 g
• D. 1-5 g

Answer: (B)

When someone is conscious and experiencing hypoglycemia, the goal is to raise blood glucose quickly with a fast-acting oral carbohydrate. For adults, a practical dose falls in the range of 15 to 45 grams. This amount is large enough to reliably raise glucose promptly, using common options like glucose tablets, glucose gel, juice, or soda, without overwhelming the gut or causing unnecessary calories. Too little (5–15 g or 1–5 g) may not bring the level up adequately, while too much (60–100 g) isn’t needed and can cause discomfort or rebound effects. After giving the carbohydrate, check the glucose again in about 15 minutes and repeat if still low. Once normalized, follow with a small amount of longer-acting carbohydrates and seek further evaluation for the underlying cause.