National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

Which symptoms are commonly displayed by a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?

1. Excessive thirst and urination

2. Fatigue and nausea

3. Hunger and sweating

4. Heart palpitations and dizziness

The correct answer is: Hunger and sweating

When a patient is experiencing hypoglycemia, one of the hallmark symptoms they commonly display is a combination of hunger and sweating. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop below normal, which can lead to several physiological responses. Hunger is a direct response from the body, signaling the need for more glucose to raise blood sugar levels back to a normal range. To compensate for the low blood sugar, the body releases adrenaline, which can also result in sweating. These combined responses are typical indicators of a hypoglycemic episode, highlighting the body's need to restore glucose levels. The other options, while they may relate to different medical conditions or scenarios, do not specifically pertain to the classic presentation of hypoglycemia. For example, excessive thirst and urination are more characteristic of hyperglycemia and conditions like diabetes mellitus, while fatigue and nausea could stem from various health issues, including other metabolic conditions but are not definitive signs of hypoglycemia. Heart palpitations and dizziness may appear in hypoglycemic patients as secondary symptoms, often as a result of the adrenaline surge; however, they do not capture the primary manifestations of the condition as clearly as hunger and sweating.