AEMCA Practice Exam

An impairment in insulin production or action primarily leads to diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. This condition arises when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (as observed in Type 1 diabetes) or when the body's cells become resistant to insulin's effects (as seen in Type 2 diabetes). Insulin is crucial for glucose uptake by cells for energy; thus, its impairment results in the accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream.

The other options, while related to metabolic and cardiovascular health, do not directly arise from issues with insulin. Hypertension can be influenced by factors like lifestyle and genetic predisposition but is not a direct result of insulin impairment. Hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar, can occur if there is excess insulin or improper management of glucose levels but does not stem from an overall impairment of insulin production. Atherosclerosis is a condition characterized by the buildup of plaques in the arteries and is more closely related to cholesterol levels and inflammation rather than direct insulin action. Consequently, diabetes mellitus is the correct answer as it directly results from dysfunctions in insulin management.