What is the effect of trauma on blood glucose in diabetic individuals?

• A. Trauma often causes a hyperglycemic state
• B. Trauma eliminates need for monitoring
• C. Trauma always results in hypoglycemia
• D. Trauma has no effect on glucose

Answer: (A)

Trauma triggers a stress response that raises blood glucose to provide quick energy for the body's reaction to injury. In diabetics, this involves a surge of counterregulatory hormones—like epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and glucagon—that increase liver glucose output and can reduce insulin effectiveness. The result is typically higher blood glucose during and after trauma, not lower. Because of this, glucose should be monitored closely in injured individuals with diabetes, and insulin needs may change with the stress of the event. The statements that trauma eliminates monitoring, always causes hypoglycemia, or has no effect on glucose don’t fit with the body's stress response and its impact on glucose control.