A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client following a motor-vehicle crash. The client’s Glasgow coma scale rating is 15.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

This client should be assessed first because they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a medical emergency that can cause seizures, coma, or death if not treated promptly.
The nurse should check the client’s blood glucose level again and provide additional carbohydrates or glucose if needed.
Choice A is wrong because a client who is scheduled for a procedure in 1 hr is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should verify the client’s consent, allergies, and vital signs before the procedure, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice B is wrong because a client who received pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain is likely to have improved pain relief and does not need immediate assessment.
The nurse should monitor the client’s pain level, vital signs, and respiratory status periodically, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Choice D is wrong because a client who has 100 mL of fluid remaining in his IV bag is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.
The nurse should change the IV bag when it is empty or nearly empty, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.
Normal blood glucose levels are between 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) when fasting, and less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia and requires immediate treatment. Orange juice is a source of simple carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose quickly, but it may not be enough to prevent hypoglycemia in some cases.

This action helps the client feel more comfortable and less intimidated by the nurse. It also allows the nurse to observe the client’s swallowing and signs of aspiration more easily.

Choice A is wrong because talking with the client during her feeding can distract her from swallowing properly and increase the risk of aspiration.

The nurse should encourage the client to focus on eating and avoid conversation until the feeding is over.

Choice B is wrong because discouraging the client from coughing during feedings can prevent her from clearing her airway and expelling any food particles that might have entered the trachea.

The nurse should monitor the client for coughing, choking, or changes in voice quality, which are indicators of aspiration.

Choice C is wrong because instructing the client to lift her chin when swallowing can actually make swallowing more difficult and increase the risk of aspiration.

The nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing, which helps close off the trachea and direct food into the esophagus.