Question

"You are on-scene with an adult patient exhibiting unusual activity and appears to be intoxicated. He is anxious and hyperactive. His heart rate and respirations are fast, but his blood pressure remains within normal range for his age. The patient denies alcohol or drug consumption but reports he has diabetes. His blood glucose level is found to be 54 milligrams per deciliter.

How would hypoglycemia cause the patient to present with the above findings?

A. The low blood sugar levels stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to trigger the release of epinephrine into the bloodstream to promote liver glycogenolysis

B. Low blood sugar levels mimic alcohol intoxication in the brain because of elevated insulin levels in the bloodstream

C. The elevated heart rate and respirations stimulate the adipose tissue to increase glucose and fatty acid uptake in an attempt to correct the blood glucose level

D. The heart rate and respirations increase in an attempt to promote the natural production and release of glucagon by the alpha cells in the pancreas"

Answer 1

Low blood sugar levels stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to epinephrine release and liver glycogenolysis, which results in symptoms such as anxiety, hyperactivity, and fast heart rate and respiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar level, can cause the patient to exhibit unusual activity and appear intoxicated due to the body's response to the insufficient glucose supply to the brain. When blood glucose levels are low, the patient's sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, leading to the release of epinephrine. This promotes liver glycogenolysis, where glycogen is broken down to glucose in the liver. Additionally, epinephrine release causes symptoms like anxiety, hyperactivity, fast heart rate, and rapid respirations, as the body tries to correct the hypoglycemic state. The correct answer to why the patient would present with the above findings due to hypoglycemia is A: The low blood sugar levels stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to trigger the release of epinephrine into the bloodstream to promote liver glycogenolysis.