hyperglycemic (redirected from hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma (HHNK))

hyperglycemic /hy·per·gly·ce·mic/ (-gli-se´mik)

1. pertaining to, characterized by, or causing hyperglycemia.

2. an agent that increases the glucose level of the blood.

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hyperglycemic

characterized by or causing hyperglycemia.

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hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma (HHNK)

a metabolic derangement in which there is an abnormally high serum glucose level without ketoacidosis. It can occur as a complication of borderline and unrecognized diabetes mellitus, in pancreatic disorders that interfere with the production of insulin, and in conditions marked by an excess of steroids, as in steroid therapy or acute stress conditions.

Hyperosmolality, resulting from the extremely high concentration of sugar in the blood, causes a shift of water from the intracellular fluid (the less concentrated solution) into the blood (the higher concentrated solution). This results in cellular dehydration. Another symptom of HHNK, polyuria, occurs because the high plasma osmolality prevents the normal osmotic return of water to the blood by the renal tubules, and it is excreted in the urine. This leads to a decreased blood volume, which severely hampers the kidney's excretion of glucose and a vicious cycle is begun.