What it means
A serious state of very high blood glucose, usually over 600 mg/dL, that develops slowly over days to weeks. The body still makes enough insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry to stop ketone buildup, so the blood is not acidic as it is in diabetic ketoacidosisdy-uh-BET-ik kee-toh-as-ih-DOH-sisA state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.ket/o ketonesacid/o acid-osis abnormal conditionFull entry , but the high glucose pulls water out through the kidneys and causes severe dehydrationdee-hy-DRAY-shunA state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.de- remove, lack ofhydr/o water-ation processFull entry , confusion, and at worst seizures or coma. It is most often seen in older adults with type 2 diabetes who have an infection or another illness. Outside nursing, HHS is also the US Department of Health and Human Services.
For the nurse
Treatment starts with large amounts of IV fluid, then insulin. Check mental status, blood glucose, sodium and potassium often, and track intake and output. Teach clients with diabetes to drink fluids and check glucose more often when they are sick.
In a chart
"Glucose 842 mg/dL, no ketones, client confused and very dry; admitted for HHS."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | HHS; HHNS (hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome, an older name) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | estado hiperosmolar hiperglucémico |
| Also written | hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, HHNS |
Easy to confuse with
diabetic ketoacidosis
A state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
hyperglycemia
A blood glucose level above normal, over 100 mg/dL when fasting.
type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.