Study for the Missouri EFDA Basic Skills Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

Hypoglycemia is best defined as which of the following?

Hypoglycemia means the glucose level in the blood has dropped below normal. In adults, this is typically defined as less than about 70 mg/dL. Glucose is the body's main fuel, especially for the brain, so when it falls too low you can feel shakiness, sweating, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or confusion. That’s why the term describes low blood sugar, not high or unchanged levels. High blood sugar would be hyperglycemia, and no change would imply normal glucose. Glucose toxicity refers to damage from chronically high glucose, not a low blood sugar state.

Hypoglycemia means the glucose level in the blood has dropped below normal. In adults, this is typically defined as less than about 70 mg/dL. Glucose is the body's main fuel, especially for the brain, so when it falls too low you can feel shakiness, sweating, fast heartbeat, dizziness, or confusion. That’s why the term describes low blood sugar, not high or unchanged levels. High blood sugar would be hyperglycemia, and no change would imply normal glucose. Glucose toxicity refers to damage from chronically high glucose, not a low blood sugar state.