Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient with CONTROLLED Type 2 Diabetes — what will they most commonly suffer from in the dental office?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (B) is the most common diabetes-related emergency in the dental office, particularly in controlled/well-treated diabetic patients. Why? Because:
• Patients often skip meals before dental appointments (fasting, NPO for sedation).
• They continue taking insulin or oral hypoglycemics (sulfonylureas).
• Dental stress and reduced intake → blood glucose drops dangerously.
• Signs of hypoglycemia: diaphoresis, trembling, tachycardia, confusion, loss of consciousness.
• Treatment: conscious patient → 15g fast-acting carbohydrates (orange juice, glucose tablets); unconscious → glucagon IM or dextrose IV.
• Note: In uncontrolled diabetes, hyperglycemia and DKA are concerns. The question specifies CONTROLLED diabetes — hypoglycemia is the risk.
• Patients often skip meals before dental appointments (fasting, NPO for sedation).
• They continue taking insulin or oral hypoglycemics (sulfonylureas).
• Dental stress and reduced intake → blood glucose drops dangerously.
• Signs of hypoglycemia: diaphoresis, trembling, tachycardia, confusion, loss of consciousness.
• Treatment: conscious patient → 15g fast-acting carbohydrates (orange juice, glucose tablets); unconscious → glucagon IM or dextrose IV.
• Note: In uncontrolled diabetes, hyperglycemia and DKA are concerns. The question specifies CONTROLLED diabetes — hypoglycemia is the risk.
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