Which term is defined as a high concentration of glucose in the blood?

• A. Hyperparathyroidism
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Hyperglycemia
• D. Pancreatitis

Answer: (C)

High blood glucose is described as hyperglycemia. The prefix hyper- means high, and glycemia refers to glucose in the blood, so the term literally denotes elevated blood sugar levels. This condition is common in diabetes when insulin action is inadequate or absent, leading to symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurry vision. It’s diagnosed and monitored using tests such as fasting plasma glucose or HbA1c. The other terms refer to different conditions—hypoglycemia means low blood glucose, pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and hyperparathyroidism involves excess parathyroid hormone rather than blood sugar levels.