A client on insulin becomes unconscious with a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL. What is the priority intervention?

Rationale: A. An unconscious client with severe hypoglycemia cannot swallow safely. Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown in the liver, rapidly increasing blood glucose. This is a life-saving intervention and the first priority in severe hypoglycemia when the patient is unresponsive. B. Delaying treatment in a severely hypoglycemic, unconscious patient is extremely dangerous. Hypoglycemia at 40 mg/dL can lead to seizures, coma, brain damage, or death. Immediate action is required; rechecking without treatment does not address the urgent need for glucose. C. Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake of glucose. Administering insulin in a hypoglycemic patient would exacerbate the condition, potentially causing irreversible neurologic damage or death. This is the opposite of the needed intervention. D. Oral carbohydrate is safe only for conscious patients able to swallow. In an unconscious patient, attempting to give juice poses a high risk of aspiration, which can lead to airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, and death.