AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following can lead to hypoglycemia?

1. Excessive carbohydrate intake.

2. High blood pressure medications.

3. Insulin overdose in diabetics.

4. Caffeine consumption.

The correct answer is: Insulin overdose in diabetics.

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below normal. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels, particularly for individuals with diabetes who administer insulin injections. An overdose of insulin can result in significantly lowered blood glucose levels, leading to hypoglycemia. This situation arises because insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into the cells, and excessive amounts can lead to the body's glucose stores being rapidly depleted. While the other options may affect blood sugar levels, they do not directly cause hypoglycemia in the same manner. For example, excessive carbohydrate intake typically leads to an increase in blood sugar, not a decrease. High blood pressure medications could potentially influence blood sugar levels but are not a direct cause of hypoglycemia. Similarly, caffeine consumption generally does not cause hypoglycemia and may even have a slight stimulating effect on metabolism and blood sugar levels. Therefore, the most direct and significant risk factor for hypoglycemia among the options is insulin overdose in individuals with diabetes.