Most of the diabetic emergencies that you will be called to deal with will be related to hypoglycemia. In the list below, which item is NOT likely to be a sign or symptom of hyperglycemia?

The response indicating reduced rate of breathing is correct because hyperglycemia, which is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, typically presents with signs and symptoms such as chronic thirst, excessive urination, and nausea.

In hyperglycemia, the body struggles to process glucose effectively, leading to an increase in thirst as the body attempts to dilute the high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. This results in excessive urination as the kidneys work to excrete the surplus glucose, causing a loss of fluids and further contributing to dehydration and thirst. Nausea can also occur due to the metabolic changes and potential ketone production associated with prolonged elevated glucose levels.

In contrast, a reduced rate of breathing is not a typical symptom of hyperglycemia. Instead, if a patient is experiencing breathing issues, it is more likely linked to either a respiratory condition or a severe metabolic state, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can occur with very high glucose levels but presents with different respiratory patterns, such as Kussmaul breathing, rather than a reduced rate. Thus, a reduced rate of breathing does not align with common signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia.