What is a potential side effect of oral glucose?

What is a potential side effect of oral glucose?

• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Nausea
• C. Drowsiness
• D. Hyperglycemia

Answer: (D)

Oral glucose is given to raise blood sugar when someone is hypoglycemic. If too much glucose is given or the person has impaired insulin action, the blood sugar can swing beyond normal and become hyperglycemic. That overshoot is why hyperglycemia can be a potential side effect of oral glucose. While nausea can occur from the gastric contents, and drowsiness isn’t a typical direct outcome of giving oral glucose, the risk of raising blood sugar too high makes hyperglycemia the best answer.

Oral glucose is given to raise blood sugar when someone is hypoglycemic. If too much glucose is given or the person has impaired insulin action, the blood sugar can swing beyond normal and become hyperglycemic. That overshoot is why hyperglycemia can be a potential side effect of oral glucose. While nausea can occur from the gastric contents, and drowsiness isn’t a typical direct outcome of giving oral glucose, the risk of raising blood sugar too high makes hyperglycemia the best answer.