The nurse is providing instructions to a client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The nurse lists the signs of hyperglycemia. Which specific signs of this complication should be included on the list?

The nurse is providing instructions to a client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The nurse lists the signs of hyperglycemia. Which specific signs of this complication should be included on the list?

• A. Shakiness
• B. Increased thirst
• C. Profuse sweating
• D. Decreased urine output

Answer: (B)

Hyperglycemia commonly causes polydipsia because elevated blood glucose pulls water from the body's cells and leads to dehydration. The kidneys try to excrete the excess glucose, causing osmotic diuresis, which increases urination and further promotes dehydration—the thirst signal from the body increases to compensate. Shakiness and profuse sweating are characteristic of hypoglycemia, where low glucose triggers autonomic symptoms. Decreased urine output does not fit hyperglycemia well, since high glucose typically leads to more urination rather than less. So, the sign that should be included to reflect hyperglycemia is increased thirst.

Hyperglycemia commonly causes polydipsia because elevated blood glucose pulls water from the body's cells and leads to dehydration. The kidneys try to excrete the excess glucose, causing osmotic diuresis, which increases urination and further promotes dehydration—the thirst signal from the body increases to compensate.

Shakiness and profuse sweating are characteristic of hypoglycemia, where low glucose triggers autonomic symptoms. Decreased urine output does not fit hyperglycemia well, since high glucose typically leads to more urination rather than less.

So, the sign that should be included to reflect hyperglycemia is increased thirst.