Hypo-/hyperglycaemic emergency in the Kenntnisprüfung
Telling low blood sugar from high blood sugar (Unterzucker/Überzucker) reliably and acting correctly at once: hypoglycaemia is the faster emergency. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, always give sugar.
Content created with AI assistance from public clinical sources (RKI, AWMF) – may contain mistakes; if in doubt, your textbook is right
Translated from the German original, which is authoritative. The exam itself is in German.
Sample questions from exam preparation
Which signs indicate hypoglycaemia?
- Cold sweat, trembling, ravenous hunger, restlessness up to confusion
- Warm, dry skin, a smell of acetone and deep, slow breathing
- Severe thirst, frequent urination and slowly increasing weakness
- A flushed face, slow pulse and tiredness without sweating
Explanation: Hypoglycaemia activates the sympathetic nervous system: cold sweat, tremor, tachycardia, ravenous hunger — plus neuroglycopenic signs such as confusion. Thirst/polyuria and a smell of acetone belong to hyperglycaemia.
Roughly below which blood glucose value do we speak of hypoglycaemia?
- below 120 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/l)
- below 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/l)
- below 40 mg/dl (2.2 mmol/l)
- below 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l)
Explanation: Below 70 mg/dl counts as hypoglycaemia; below 54 mg/dl as clinically significant/severe. In symptomatic patients the clinical picture counts more than the number: treat first, discuss later.
Key German terms for Hypo-/hyperglycaemic emergency
- der Blutzucker (BZ) – blood glucose (blood sugar)
- den Blutzucker messen – to measure blood glucose
- die Unterzuckerung / die Hypoglykämie – hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- die Überzuckerung / die Hyperglykämie – hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
- Insulin spritzen / verabreichen – to inject / administer insulin
20 exam questions on Hypo-/hyperglycaemic emergency, plus case simulations with an AI examiner and graded feedback – practise until you feel confident.
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