AEMCA Practice Exam

What can cause both hypoglycemia and insulin overdose in diabetic patients?

1. Excessive alcohol consumption.

2. High calorie intake.

3. Caffeine usage.

4. Consistent exercise without food intake.

The correct answer is: Excessive alcohol consumption.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to both hypoglycemia and insulin overdose in diabetic patients due to its effects on glucose metabolism. When alcohol is consumed in large quantities, it can inhibit gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver, processes that are crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels. This inhibition occurs because alcohol is metabolized preferentially over glucose, thereby reducing the availability of glucose for the body. In diabetics, if someone who takes insulin or other hypoglycemic medications drinks a lot of alcohol without eating adequately, their blood sugar can drop significantly, leading to hypoglycemia. Furthermore, alcohol can interfere with the awareness of hypoglycemic symptoms, which may mask the body's natural responses to low blood sugar. Consequently, a diabetic patient might overlook or ignore warning signs, potentially leading to further complications, including an insulin overdose if they aim to correct perceived high blood sugar without realizing they are already in a hypoglycemic state. The other options, while they can influence glucose levels in various ways, do not create the same overlapping risk for both hypoglycemia and insulin overdose as alcohol does in this context.