Answer:
Given the polysubstance overdose (alcohol and unknown drugs), and other innate factors related to glucose production and metabolism it would be impossible to give a time frame when and if to expect hypoglycemia after an initial normal reading. It should be noted that alcohol is more likely to cause hypoglycemia in pediatric patients due to its effect on the ability for glucose to be generated by the liver and the potential overproduction of insulin.
Should the patient’s status deteriorate, then repeating the blood glucose in any unwell patient would be prudent.
In the case of this longer transport time and with the knowledge that pediatric patients are more likely to experience hypoglycemia from the effects of alcohol or other toxicological ingestions, paramedics can use their clinical judgement as to whether or not to ascertain another glucose reading during these prolonged transport times when there is no improvement or deterioration of a patient’s level of consciousness.