During assessment, which measurement is used to exclude hypoglycaemia?

• A. Blood glucose
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Heart rate
• D. Temperature

Answer: (A)

Measuring blood glucose with a glucometer is the direct way to determine hypoglycaemia. In an assessment, symptoms like sweating, confusion, or weakness can stem from many causes, so an objective glucose reading is needed to confirm whether blood sugar is dangerously low. If the reading is at or below about 4 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), treat immediately with a fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck. If it’s normal, hypoglycaemia is unlikely, and you can investigate other causes. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are important for overall assessment, but they do not confirm or exclude hypoglycaemia on their own.