Question

In which one of the following scenarios

should a patient with Type 2 diabetes, who is
taking metformin for glucose control, be advised
to discontinue the metformin owing to an
increased risk of lactic acidosis resulting from
continuation of the metformin?
(A) Severe anemia
(B) Early pyelonephritis
(C) Severe loss of cardiac tissue from a myocardial
infarction
(D) Severe tear of the quadriceps muscle
(E) Significant weight gain

Answer 1

Patients taking metformin for Type 2 diabetes should discontinue its use in the event of a severe myocardial infarction due to the increased risk of lactic acidosis, a serious complication associated with metformin.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with Type 2 diabetes who is taking metformin for glucose control should be advised to discontinue metformin if they suffer from severe loss of cardiac tissue from a myocardial infarction. This condition can lead to an increased risk of lactic acidosis, which is a potential complication associated with metformin usage. Lactic acidosis is a serious condition that involves the buildup of lactic acid in the body and can occur when conditions, such as a myocardial infarction, reduce the body's ability to clear this acid. The increased stress on the body and decreased oxygenation during a cardiac event can significantly increase the patient's risk for this rare but dangerous side effect of metformin.