What is the effect of inhaled anesthesia on blood sugars?

• A. Reduces blood glucose by increasing insulin
• B. Suppresses insulin secretion which raises blood sugar
• C. Has no effect on glucose metabolism
• D. Increases pancreatic insulin sensitivity

Answer: (B)

Inhaled (volatile) anesthetics can directly depress pancreatic beta-cell function, which suppresses insulin secretion. With less insulin available, glucose cannot enter cells efficiently, and hepatic glucose production remains or rises, so blood sugar increases. This is why the effect is an elevation in blood glucose due to reduced insulin release. The other ideas—that it would lower glucose by increasing insulin, have no effect, or increase insulin sensitivity—don’t fit because the primary action of these agents is to blunt insulin release rather than enhance insulin action or glucose uptake.