Which statement about oral glucose dosing and onset is true?

• A. Onset around 10 minutes and dose 15-45 g by mouth
• B. Onset around 5 minutes and dose 60 g
• C. Onset around 30 minutes and dose 5 g
• D. Onset around 60 minutes and dose 100 g

Answer: (A)

Raising blood glucose quickly in a conscious patient with hypoglycemia is best achieved by giving a moderate oral glucose dose so absorption in the gut can promptly elevate plasma glucose. The recommended amount is roughly 15–45 grams of glucose given orally, using tablets or gel, which provides a reliable rise without overshoot. The onset is rapid because glucose is absorbed in the small intestine soon after ingestion, typically within about 10–20 minutes. So the statement describing a 10-minute onset with a 15–45 g oral dose matches this practical approach. The other options either propose too large a dose (which isn’t standard practice and can cause unnecessary hyperglycemia), too small a dose (likely insufficient to correct hypoglycemia), or an unrealistically slow onset (about an hour), which doesn’t reflect how quickly oral glucose acts. If the patient cannot take glucose orally or doesn’t respond promptly, alternative treatments like IV dextrose or glucagon are considered.