Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What happens to excess glucose when a patient's blood glucose level rises significantly?

1. The liver stores it for later use

2. Kidneys excrete excess glucose via water

3. It is converted to fat

4. Insulin levels increase to utilize it

The correct answer is: Kidneys excrete excess glucose via water

The correct choice centers around the body's metabolic response to elevated blood glucose levels. When blood glucose rises significantly, insulin is released from the pancreas, which facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, particularly in muscle and fat tissue. However, when blood glucose levels exceed the immediate metabolic needs and storage capacity of these tissues, the body has a systematic way to handle the surplus. The liver indeed plays a crucial role by storing glucose in the form of glycogen, and in cases where glycogen stores are full, excess glucose is converted into fatty acids through a process known as lipogenesis. Therefore, the conversion of excess glucose into fat is a significant pathway for energy storage in the body. While the kidneys do have a role in glucose homeostasis, they typically reabsorb glucose until the blood glucose level reaches a threshold, beyond which glucose spills into urine. This means that when blood glucose rises significantly, it is initially managed by insulin action and conversion/storage mechanisms before renal excretion becomes a primary factor. Thus, the statement regarding kidneys excreting excess glucose via water does not accurately reflect the immediate physiological processes that occur in response to high blood glucose levels. Understanding these pathways is essential for managing conditions such as diabetes, where glucose metabolism is impaired.