Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Certification!

The condition that necessitates the immediate administration of glucose is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar levels drop below normal, leading to symptoms such as confusion, irritability, sweating, tremors, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures. These symptoms are due to the brain's reliance on glucose for energy; a deficit can quickly impair neurological function.

In a pediatric emergency setting, recognizing hypoglycemia as a potentially life-threatening situation is crucial. Administering glucose can rapidly reverse these symptoms and restore normal brain function, making it a priority intervention.

In contrast, while dehydration, sepsis, and cardiac arrest are serious conditions that require prompt assessment and treatment, they do not specifically require the immediate administration of glucose as part of their initial management. Dehydration typically involves the restoration of fluids and electrolytes, sepsis treatments may include antibiotics and fluids, and cardiac arrest necessitates advanced cardiac life support protocols.