Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

What is another name for insulin reaction?

1. Diabetic coma

2. Hypoglycemia

3. Hyperglycemia

4. Pre-diabetic coma

The correct answer is: Hypoglycemia

The correct answer is hypoglycemia because it refers specifically to a condition where blood glucose levels fall below normal, often as a result of too much insulin in relation to food intake, excessive physical activity, or other factors. An insulin reaction is typically characterized by symptoms such as sweating, trembling, confusion, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures, all of which are associated with low blood sugar levels. In contrast, diabetic coma refers to a state of unconsciousness resulting from prolonged high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or, less commonly, severe hypoglycemia, but it is not a synonym for insulin reaction itself. Hyperglycemia refers to elevated blood glucose levels, which is the opposite of what occurs during an insulin reaction. Pre-diabetic coma is not a recognized medical term relating to insulin reactions, as pre-diabetes indicates a state where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Therefore, hypoglycemia is the most precise and correctly associated term for insulin reactions.