Why is 15 grams of a simple sugar administered during hypoglycemia in a client with diabetes?

• A. Inhibits glycogenesis
• B. Stimulates release of insulin
• C. Increases blood glucose levels
• D. Provides more storage of glucose

Answer: (C)

When someone with diabetes is hypoglycemic, the immediate goal is to raise blood glucose quickly. A simple sugar does exactly that because it’s rapidly absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream, lifting the glucose level within minutes. About 15 grams is chosen because it provides enough glucose to restore energy and brain function promptly without overshooting too much. The effect is an increase in blood glucose, not storage or suppression of insulin. Glycogenesis would store glucose as glycogen, which isn’t how you fix a low blood sugar right away, and triggering insulin release would lower glucose further, not help. So the best answer is that this approach increases blood glucose levels to reverse hypoglycemia. If the person can’t safely swallow, glucagon is used instead.