Question

A 78-year-old female presents with an acute change in her behavior. The patient's son tells you that his mother has type 2 diabetes and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 6 months ago. The patient's speech is slurred and she is not alert to her surroundings. You should:

A.)transport the patient to a psychiatric facility
B.)inquire about the possibility of head trauma
C.)conclude that the patient's blood sugar is high
D.)allow the patient to refuse transport is she wishes

Answer 1

The patient's symptoms could be indicative of high blood sugar associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the correct option is to conclude that the patient's blood sugar is high.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's acute change in behavior, slurred speech, and lack of alertness to her surroundings could be indicative of a high blood sugar level, known as hyperglycemia, in a patient with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar can lead to neurological symptoms, including confusion and altered mental status. Therefore, option C) conclude that the patient's blood sugar is high, is the most appropriate course of action.