A patient who has taken insulin but not eaten may experience which condition?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Diabetic coma
• D. Normal glycemic levels

Answer: (B)

When a patient takes insulin but does not eat, they may experience hypoglycemia. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into the cells for energy or storage, and if there is no food intake to provide a source of glucose, the insulin can cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.

Hypoglycemia is characterized by symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, confusion, irritability, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures. This condition can occur quickly if the patient is dependent on insulin for glucose regulation and does not consume carbohydrates to balance the effects of the insulin administered.

In contrast, hyperglycemia would occur if there were insufficient insulin relative to carbohydrate intake or if the body was unable to use insulin effectively. Diabetic coma is a severe state that can occur with very high blood sugar levels (often related to hyperglycemia) leading to conditions such as ketoacidosis, while normal glycemic levels would indicate a balance between insulin action and food intake, which is not the case when insulin is administered without eating.