A client with type 1 diabetes is found unresponsive with a blood glucose of 32 mg/dL. They cannot swallow. What is the PRIORITY nursing action?

SEVERE HYPOGLYCAEMIA in an UNRESPONSIVE patient requires PARENTERAL glucose administration. Attempting to give anything orally to an unresponsive patient risks ASPIRATION — a life-threatening complication. BLOOD GLUCOSE OF 32 mg/dL: Severe hypoglycaemia (normal fasting glucose 70-100 mg/dL); symptoms at this level: confusion, unresponsiveness, seizure; brain damage and death can occur within minutes without treatment. TREATMENT DECISION TREE: UNRESPONSIVE/CANNOT SWALLOW (this scenario): IV ACCESS AVAILABLE: D50W (50% dextrose) 25-50 mL IV push per order — rapid and definitive; NO IV ACCESS: Glucagon 1 mg IM or SubQ — stimulates glycogenolysis (liver breaks down glycogen to glucose); takes 10-15 minutes to work; requires glycogen stores to be present (ineffective if glycogen depleted, e.g., alcohol intoxication, prolonged starvation); CONSCIOUS WITH ABILITY TO SWALLOW: 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates (Rule of 15): 4 oz orange juice; regular soda (not diet); glucose tablets; gel. AFTER TREATMENT: Recheck blood glucose in 15 minutes; if still below 70 mg/dL, repeat treatment; once above 70 mg/dL and patient is alert, give a complex carbohydrate + protein snack to prevent recurrence; investigate the cause of the hypoglycaemic episode; adjust insulin regimen as ordered.