Severe hypoglycemia due to insulin overdose is best called which?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Diabetic Coma
• C. Insulin Shock
• D. Ketoacidosis

Answer: (C)

Severe hypoglycemia from too much insulin is described as insulin shock. When insulin overdose drives glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells, the brain is left without fuel, leading to confusion, weakness, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and potentially seizures or loss of consciousness. This label highlights that the emergency is caused by an excessive insulin effect causing dangerously low blood sugar.

Hyperglycemia means high blood sugar, which is the opposite situation. Ketoacidosis develops from a lack of insulin, not an overdose, and involves buildup of ketones and acidosis, typically with high glucose in type 1 diabetes. Diabetic coma is an older, non-specific term that doesn’t pinpoint the low-blood-sugar emergency caused by too much insulin.