Which symptoms indicate hyperglycemia?

Which symptoms indicate hyperglycemia?

• A. Increased thirst and frequent urination
• B. Weight gain without thirst
• C. Chills and runny nose
• D. Sharp abdominal pain

Answer: (A)

High blood glucose causes the kidneys to work harder to remove the excess sugar, pulling water along with it. This osmotic diuresis leads to dehydration, which triggers increased thirst and more frequent urination. Those two symptoms together are classic signs of hyperglycemia. The other options don’t fit this pattern. Weight gain without thirst isn’t a typical response to high blood sugar, and chills with a runny nose point to a cold or infection rather than hyperglycemia. Sharp abdominal pain isn’t a common early symptom of high blood glucose (though severe cases like diabetic ketoacidosis can involve abdominal discomfort, the hallmark signs are thirst and urination). If you notice increased thirst and frequent urination, check the patient’s blood sugar and notify the nurse.

High blood glucose causes the kidneys to work harder to remove the excess sugar, pulling water along with it. This osmotic diuresis leads to dehydration, which triggers increased thirst and more frequent urination. Those two symptoms together are classic signs of hyperglycemia.

The other options don’t fit this pattern. Weight gain without thirst isn’t a typical response to high blood sugar, and chills with a runny nose point to a cold or infection rather than hyperglycemia. Sharp abdominal pain isn’t a common early symptom of high blood glucose (though severe cases like diabetic ketoacidosis can involve abdominal discomfort, the hallmark signs are thirst and urination). If you notice increased thirst and frequent urination, check the patient’s blood sugar and notify the nurse.