Why would a hypoglycemic patient possibly present with a decreased level of consciousness?

Case study diabetes

A person driving on highway 11 towards New Orleans was reported scraping the side rails and swerving into the other lane. A brief police chase ensued. The police thought he was inebriated but began to question their first impression when they didn’t smell alcohol or drugs. They called for an ambulance and the individual was rushed to the ER. The patient had slurred speech. The patient wasn’t aware of where they were and couldn’t tell the medical staff the correct year either. There was a fruity smell noted on the patient’s breath.

Deliverables

Answer the following questions and save your responses in a Microsoft Word document. Provide a scholarly resource in APA format to support your answers.

The very next question after checking level of consciousness and vitals was whether he was diabetic, why?

Why would a hypoglycemic patient possibly present with a decreased level of consciousness?

The patient’s breath has a fruity smell which is attributed to ketone bodies. Why are they present when the patient exhales and what is this state called?