Final answer:
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state usually occurs in persons older than 65 with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It is characterized by high blood glucose levels, dehydration, and low ketone levels, requiring immediate medical attention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), characterized by extremely high blood glucose levels, elevated serum osmolality, extreme dehydration, and low amounts of ketones, typically occurs in persons older than 65 years of age with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This is a serious condition that often requires emergency medical treatment to correct the dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and manage high blood glucose levels. HHS is distinct from diabetic ketoacidosis, which is more commonly associated with Type 1 Diabetes and involves high ketone production.
Individuals with T2DM may develop HHS due in part to the pancreas either producing insufficient insulin or the body not using insulin effectively, leading to cells not absorbing glucose efficiently. This results in hyperglycemia and can trigger severe dehydration due to the osmotic diuresis caused by high glucose levels in the urine. Unlike ketoacidosis, HHS typically presents with low levels of ketone bodies, as it generally occurs in Type 2 diabetics who still produce enough insulin to prevent significant ketosis but not enough to control blood glucose levels.