Medical Emergencies · single question
A controlled type 2 diabetic patient is most likely to suffer from which complication during dental treatment?
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Correct answer: B. Hypoglycemia
- A. Angina is related to coronary artery disease — but the most relevant emergency during the dental visit itself is hypoglycemia.
- B. Controlled type 2 diabetic patients on glucose-lowering medications are at high risk of HYPOGLYCEMIA when they skip a meal before their dental appointment. Stress from dental treatment plus delayed food intake further lowers blood sugar. The most common diabetic dental emergency is hypoglycemia.
- C. Hyperglycemia is more likely in UNCONTROLLED diabetes. A controlled patient on medications is at higher risk of HYPOGLYCEMIA, especially if they took their medication but did not eat before their appointment.
- D. Diabetes increases cardiovascular risk, but the MOST COMMON dental appointment emergency in a controlled T2DM patient is hypoglycemia.
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