Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

What mechanism is responsible for blood sugar elevation in critically ill adults?

1. Medications such as epinephrine

2. Shivering

3. Temperature elevation

4. Change in position

The correct answer is: Medications such as epinephrine

The mechanism responsible for blood sugar elevation in critically ill adults is primarily related to the release of stress hormones, particularly catecholamines, which include epinephrine. In critically ill patients, the body undergoes a physiological stress response to manage illness or injury. This response involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased secretion of catecholamines such as epinephrine. Epinephrine promotes gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, processes that result in the increased production and release of glucose into the bloodstream. These actions help to ensure that there is an adequate supply of energy, particularly when the body is under metabolic stress. While other factors can influence blood sugar levels, such as temperature elevation and systemic responses to illness, the most significant contributor in the context of stress-induced hyperglycemia in critically ill patients is the effect of stress hormones, especially catecholamines like epinephrine.