A nurse is caring for a patient who has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL and is lethargic but can follow simple instructions. Which action should the nurse perform first?

For a patient who is lethargic but able to follow simple instructions, the first action is to provide a fast-acting carbohydrate. Fruit juice is a quick source of glucose that can be rapidly absorbed to raise the patient's blood sugar level. The American Diabetes Association recommends providing 15-20 grams of glucose or a simple carbohydrate, like 4 oz of fruit juice, as the initial treatment for hypoglycemia in a conscious patient.