Which cardiovascular finding is most likely in a hyperglycemic dehydrated adolescent with type 1 diabetes?

Which cardiovascular finding is most likely in a hyperglycemic dehydrated adolescent with type 1 diabetes?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Tachycardia
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (C)

When blood glucose is high and dehydration from osmotic diuresis lowers the effective circulating volume, the body compensates by increasing heart rate to maintain cardiac output and tissue perfusion. That rapid heartbeat is the most typical cardiovascular response to volume depletion in hyperglycemic adolescents with type 1 diabetes, such as in diabetic ketoacidosis. Hypertension isn’t expected with dehydration, bradycardia isn’t a typical response to low volume, and hypotension can occur if dehydration is very severe but tachycardia is the more common early finding because it immediately helps preserve perfusion.

When blood glucose is high and dehydration from osmotic diuresis lowers the effective circulating volume, the body compensates by increasing heart rate to maintain cardiac output and tissue perfusion. That rapid heartbeat is the most typical cardiovascular response to volume depletion in hyperglycemic adolescents with type 1 diabetes, such as in diabetic ketoacidosis. Hypertension isn’t expected with dehydration, bradycardia isn’t a typical response to low volume, and hypotension can occur if dehydration is very severe but tachycardia is the more common early finding because it immediately helps preserve perfusion.