pathophysiology Dory Smith (DS) is an 18-year-old high school student who began to experience weight loss despite a ravenous appetite and resulting increased dietary intake. She makes frequent trips...

pathophysiology

Dory Smith (DS) is an 18-year-old high school student who began to experience weight loss despite a ravenous appetite and resulting increased dietary intake. She makes frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate and has difficulty concentrating on her work because of fatigue. She drinks large volumes of coffee to help with a constant dry mouth and to combat her fatigue. At a clinic appointment, it was noted that DS’s weight has dropped from 140 lb. to 128 lb. She is 5 feet, 7 inches tall. Her urine specimen shows glycosuria and ketonuria. Blood glucose level is 412 mg/dL. DK had eaten breakfast 3 hours before the blood test.

DS needs to understand the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia so that she can quickly intervene to prevent life-threatening complications. How can she recognize hypoglycemia when it occurs?