Pathology
This is the primary cause of hyperglycemia in HHS, which leads to an extreme increase in blood glucose levels.
What is insulin deficiency or insulin resistance?
Why might we be worried about protecting patient airway?
What is altered mental status, obtundation, or unconsciousness?
What fluid can we give to rehydrate the patient?
What is 0.9% Isotonic Solution?
What is the glucose level indicated for a patient with HHS?
What is plasma glucose: >600 mg/dL?
This life-threatening complication, often seen in HHS due to severe dehydration, can cause confusion, drowsiness, and seizures?
What is altered mental status or coma?
In HHS, this electrolyte imbalance is often seen due to severe dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis.
What is hypokalemia (low potassium)?
What warning signs are important for this patient to be aware of before discharge?
What is frequent urination, excessive thirst, and high blood sugar levels?
What electrolytes may you anticipate being affected?
What is potassium, phosphate, and sodium?
What is develops overtime? What is type II diabetes?
Due to extreme dehydration in HHS, patients are at increased risk for this acute kidney complication, which results from low blood flow to the kidneys.
What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?
Answer: Unlike diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), people with HHS usually do not produce this acidic substance in large amounts.
What are ketones?
What is the most important prevention method?
What is maintaining a healthy blood glucose level & taking insulin?
How do you calculate an Insulin Bolus for your patient?
What is 0.1 unit per kg?
True of False: A patient with HHS has a high amount of ketones in their urine?
What is false?
HHS can lead to an imbalance in this essential electrolyte, causing muscle weakness, irregular heart rhythms, and sometimes respiratory depression.
What is hypokalemia?
People with HHS have extremely high levels of this in their blood, often over 600 mg/dL.
What is blood glucose (or blood sugar)?
What is the most important aspect of care for this patient?
What is correcting water loss and managing dehydration?
What other symptoms may we be concerned about which may indicate other medication needs, and what are these meds?
What is fever, infection, or vomiting?
What are Antipyretics, antibiotics and antiemetics?
List four characteristics that you would see in a patient with HHS.
What are: mental status-Stupor/Coma, visual changes, mental status changes, hypovolemic shock, profound fluid deficit (severe dehydration, longitudinal wrinkles, decreased salivation, increase in HR, increased in respirations)?
In HHS, the increased blood viscosity from severe hyperglycemia can lead to this complication, which may result in chest pain and require urgent treatment.
What is myocardial infarction (heart attack)?