A teaching figure shows a healthy (green) and severe diabetic (red) glucose-time curve after a 50 g glucose load. Which of the following immediate implications can be drawn from the red curve staying elevated for a prolonged period?

• A. The prolonged elevation indicates impaired glucose disposal due to either insufficient insulin or insulin resistance, increasing the risk of acute hyperglycemic symptoms and long-term complications if persistent.
• B. The red curve suggests decreased intestinal absorption of glucose and therefore reduced caloric uptake leading to malnutrition.
• C. The prolonged elevation only reflects measurement error and has no physiologic or clinical significance, so no action is needed.
• D. The prolonged elevation demonstrates enhanced tissue glucose uptake that prevents hyperglycemia, therefore indicating a low risk of diabetes-related complications.

Answer: (A)