Which of the following is not a cause of hypoglycaemia?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Less physical activity reduces the body's consumption of glucose for energy.
This conservation of glucose leads to it remaining in the bloodstream, which can maintain or increase blood sugar levels.
Therefore, reduced activity is a risk factor for hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), not hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Option A: Skipping or delaying a meal reduces the body's supply of glucose, which is a direct cause of low blood sugar.
Option C: Insulin's primary role is to lower blood glucose. An overdose causes an excessive drop in blood sugar, leading to severe hypoglycemia.
Option D: Certain classes of anti-diabetic drugs, particularly sulfonylureas and meglitinides, stimulate insulin secretion, which can lower blood glucose too much and is a well-known cause of hypoglycemia.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causes of Hypoglycemia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating diabetic patients on balancing diet, exercise, and medication to prevent hypoglycemia, a potentially dangerous complication.
Recognizing the early signs of hypoglycemia (e.g., sweating, trembling, confusion, irritability) is a critical nursing skill for prompt intervention.
The standard emergency treatment for a conscious patient with hypoglycemia is the '15-15 rule': give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates and recheck blood glucose in 15 minutes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative keyword 'not' in the question. This signals that you must find the option that is an exception.
The question asks what is NOT a cause of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Analyze each option's physiological effect on blood glucose levels.
Option A (Skipping a meal) means less glucose intake, causing low blood sugar.
Option B (Less physical activity) means less glucose is used, causing blood sugar to stay the same or rise.
Option C (Too much insulin) means too much glucose is removed from the blood, causing low blood sugar.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 1-3

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 2 p. 214-216

E6 Pharmacology KD Tripathi Essentials 9e Part 1 p. 312-314

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.