Which of these is not a reason for hypoglycemia?

NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse-2019

Explanation

Physical activity increases glucose uptake by the muscles for energy, which lowers blood sugar levels.
Consequently, a reduction in physical activity leads to decreased glucose utilization.
This decreased use of glucose tends to raise blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or keep them stable, rather than causing them to drop.
Therefore, less physical activity is a risk factor for hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, making it the correct answer.

Option A: Skipping or delaying meals directly reduces the body's incoming supply of glucose from carbohydrates, which is a very common cause of hypoglycemia, especially in individuals on diabetes medication.
Option C: Insulin's primary function is to lower blood glucose. An overdose of insulin will drive an excessive amount of glucose into the cells, leading to a sharp and dangerous drop in blood sugar levels (iatrogenic hypoglycemia).
Option D: Certain classes of oral anti-diabetic drugs, such as sulfonylureas and meglitinides, work by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. This action can lead to hypoglycemia as a known side effect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causes and risk factors for hypoglycemia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient education is a critical nursing responsibility. Nurses must teach patients with diabetes how to balance medication, diet, and physical activity to prevent both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Rapid recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia are essential to prevent severe outcomes like seizures, coma, and death. The 'Rule of 15' is a key intervention.
What if? If the question stated the patient engaged in more physical activity than usual without adjusting their food or insulin, this would become a primary reason for hypoglycemia.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept being tested, which is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Pay close attention to the negative keyword 'NOT'. The question is asking you to find the option that does NOT cause low blood sugar.
Analyze each option's physiological effect on blood glucose levels.
For 'Skipping a meal', think: Less food means less sugar intake, which lowers blood glucose. This is a cause.
For 'Less physical activity', think: Activity uses up sugar. Less activity means less sugar is used, which would raise, not lower, blood glucose. This is NOT a cause.
For 'More insulin', think: Insulin's job is to lower blood sugar. More insulin means a bigger drop. This is a cause.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Causes and risk factors for hypoglycemia.
Stem keywords: hypoglycemia, reason
Lead-in keywords: not
Negative lead-in flag: This question uses negative framing ('NOT'), asking you to identify the option that is an exception.

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