North Carolina CNA Written Practice Exam

What condition occurs when glucose levels are too high in the bloodstream?

1. Hypertension

2. Diabetes

3. Hypoglycemia

4. Cholesterol imbalance

The correct answer is: Diabetes

When glucose levels are too high in the bloodstream, it leads to a condition known as diabetes. This occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy and storage. In diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, the body's insulin response is impaired or the insulin produced is insufficient to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range. This persistent elevated level of glucose in the bloodstream can result in a variety of symptoms and long-term health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye issues. While hypertension, hypoglycemia, and cholesterol imbalance are all health concerns, they are not directly related to elevated glucose levels in the bloodstream in the same manner that diabetes is. Hypertension refers to high blood pressure, hypoglycemia indicates low blood sugar levels, and cholesterol imbalance involves abnormal levels of cholesterol in the blood, which is a separate metabolic concern.