Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

What can cause an insulin reaction?

1. Too little food

2. Physical or emotional stress

3. Too much food

4. A cerebrovascular accident

The correct answer is: Too little food

An insulin reaction, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when there is an imbalance between insulin levels and blood glucose levels. This often happens when there is too little food intake relative to the amount of insulin administered, which can lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. Eating too little can prevent the body from having enough glucose available for energy, particularly for individuals who are insulin-dependent. In such scenarios, the excess insulin in the bloodstream can cause the body to use up its glucose reserves too quickly, resulting in symptoms of an insulin reaction, which may include shakiness, confusion, sweating, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. The other factors listed, such as physical or emotional stress, can indeed influence insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, but they generally do not directly cause an insulin reaction like insufficient food intake does. Similarly, consuming too much food might lead to elevated blood sugar levels rather than a hypoglycemic state, and a cerebrovascular accident, while a serious medical event, does not directly relate to the mechanism of insulin reactions as it pertains to blood sugar management.