New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

What condition is most likely to cause insulin shock in a patient?

1. Takes too much of prescribed insulin

2. Markedly overeats and misses an insulin dose

3. Eats a regular meal followed by mild exertion

4. Misses one or two prescribed insulin injections

The correct answer is: Takes too much of prescribed insulin

Insulin shock, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when there is an excessive amount of insulin in the bloodstream relative to the available glucose, leading to dangerously low blood sugar levels. This condition most commonly arises when a patient administers too much prescribed insulin. The pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, but if this balance is disrupted by an overdose of insulin, the body cannot maintain adequate glucose levels. In this scenario, the patient's actions directly impact insulin levels and blood glucose. Excessive insulin overwhelms the body's ability to manage sugar, resulting in symptoms characteristic of hypoglycemia, such as confusion, weakness, and shaking, and can lead to more severe complications if not treated promptly. Understanding the other options helps clarify why they are less likely to result in insulin shock. For instance, marked overeating alongside a missed insulin dose typically leads to hyperglycemia, as there is not enough insulin to match the increased glucose intake. Eating a regular meal followed by mild exertion may lead to a normal blood sugar response or even mild hypoglycemia, but it is less likely to cause severe insulin shock compared to an overdose of insulin. Missing one or two prescribed insulin injections might raise blood sugar levels as well, but it's not as immediate a threat