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Ch. 16 The Endocrine System
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 16 The Endocrine SystemProblem L3.A4
Chapter 16, Problem L3.A4

Mr. Montez is a patient with type I diabetes mellitus. He presents with dizziness, rapid breathing, confusion, and weakness. You find out that he forgot to inject his normal dose of insulin this morning. Will his blood glucose concentration be normal? Explain. Your colleague suggests that Mr. Montez needs to ingest some sugar. Is this going to help him? Why or why not? 

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Understand the role of insulin in blood glucose regulation. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells, lowering blood glucose levels. In type I diabetes mellitus, the body does not produce insulin, so glucose remains in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels).
Step 2: Analyze the symptoms presented by Mr. Montez. Dizziness, rapid breathing, confusion, and weakness are indicative of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that occurs when the body lacks insulin and begins breaking down fat for energy, producing ketones as a byproduct. This leads to an acidic environment in the blood.
Step 3: Evaluate whether Mr. Montez's blood glucose concentration will be normal. Since he forgot to inject his insulin, his blood glucose concentration will likely be elevated due to the lack of insulin to facilitate glucose uptake into cells.
Step 4: Assess the suggestion to ingest sugar. Ingesting sugar will not help Mr. Montez because his body cannot utilize the sugar without insulin. Instead, it will exacerbate hyperglycemia, worsening his condition. The priority is to administer insulin to lower his blood glucose levels and address the underlying issue.
Step 5: Recommend appropriate treatment. Mr. Montez needs immediate medical attention to receive insulin and possibly intravenous fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances caused by DKA. Monitoring his blood glucose and ketone levels is essential to stabilize his condition.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Type I diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood glucose levels. Patients with this condition require insulin therapy to manage their blood sugar levels effectively. Without adequate insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells, leading to elevated blood glucose concentrations, which can cause symptoms like dizziness and confusion.
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Insulin and Blood Glucose Regulation

Insulin plays a critical role in lowering blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy or storage. When a person with type I diabetes forgets to take their insulin, their blood glucose levels can rise significantly, leading to hyperglycemia. This condition can result in various symptoms, including weakness and confusion, as the body struggles to utilize glucose without insulin.
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Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia refers to abnormally low blood glucose levels, while hyperglycemia indicates high blood glucose levels. In Mr. Montez's case, since he missed his insulin dose, he is likely experiencing hyperglycemia rather than hypoglycemia. Ingesting sugar would not help him; instead, it could worsen his condition by further increasing his blood glucose levels, which is already elevated due to the lack of insulin.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Predict the effects of a pancreatic tumor that secretes insulin. How would the effects change if the tumor secreted glucagon instead?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following hormones is/are produced by the posterior pituitary?

a. Antidiuretic hormone

b. Oxytocin

c. Both a and b

d. Neither a nor b

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Ms. Reczkiewicz has her thyroid gland removed to treat hyperthyroidism. Her condition is stable after surgery, but one day later she develops symptoms of severe hypocalcemia. What has happened? How would you correct this problem?

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Females with hormone-secreting tumors of the adrenal cortex occasionally develop male secondary sex characteristics. Explain why this may happen.

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You have read that aldosterone causes sodium ion retention from the kidneys. How would blocking aldosterone secretion decrease the amount of water retained from the fluid in the kidneys?

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Textbook Question

What has likely happened to the pH of Mr. Montez's blood? What does this mean about the hydrogen ion concentration in his blood? How will his buffer systems respond to this change in pH?

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