Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient with HIV and diabetes is being evaluated. Which of the following can affect diabetes EXCEPT:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Asthma
- A. INCORRECT (HIV CAN affect diabetes). HIV infection directly contributes to metabolic dysregulation, insulin resistance, and altered glucose metabolism through chronic inflammation, immune activation, and direct effects on adipose and pancreatic tissue.
- B. INCORRECT (ARVs CAN affect diabetes). Antiretroviral medications, particularly older protease inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, are associated with lipodystrophy, insulin resistance, and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- C. INCORRECT (opportunistic infections CAN affect diabetes). Any systemic infection, including opportunistic infections in HIV patients, triggers a stress response with elevated cortisol and counter-regulatory hormones that worsen glycemic control in diabetic patients.
- D. CORRECT — EXCEPTION. Asthma does not directly affect diabetes mellitus or glucose metabolism. While systemic corticosteroids used to treat asthma can cause steroid-induced hyperglycemia, asthma itself as a respiratory condition does not have a direct metabolic effect on diabetes control.
Practice Medical Emergencies questions Medical Emergencies study notes