Which set of symptoms is most characteristic of hypoglycemia in a person with diabetes?

Which set of symptoms is most characteristic of hypoglycemia in a person with diabetes?

• A. Dehydration and polyuria
• B. Weight gain and edema
• C. Hyperosmolar state
• D. Adrenergic symptoms and sweating

Answer: (D)

When blood glucose falls, the body’s counterregulatory response kicks in via the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and related catecholamines. This drives adrenergic symptoms—like tremor, palpitations, anxiety—and sweating, which are hallmark signs of hypoglycemia in diabetes. The other options reflect high blood glucose states or fluid retention rather than low glucose: dehydration and polyuria arise from osmotic diuresis in hyperglycemia, a hyperosmolar state is a severe high-glucose complication, and weight gain with edema is not an acute hypoglycemia feature. So adrenergic symptoms and sweating best characterize hypoglycemia.

When blood glucose falls, the body’s counterregulatory response kicks in via the sympathetic nervous system, releasing adrenaline and related catecholamines. This drives adrenergic symptoms—like tremor, palpitations, anxiety—and sweating, which are hallmark signs of hypoglycemia in diabetes. The other options reflect high blood glucose states or fluid retention rather than low glucose: dehydration and polyuria arise from osmotic diuresis in hyperglycemia, a hyperosmolar state is a severe high-glucose complication, and weight gain with edema is not an acute hypoglycemia feature. So adrenergic symptoms and sweating best characterize hypoglycemia.