Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

A 72-year-old male with type 2 diabetes presents with diaphoresis and a blood sugar of 110 mg/dL. What condition should you be most suspicious of?

1. Stroke

2. Acute myocardial infarction

3. Hypoglycemic episode

4. Acute pancreatitis

The correct answer is: Acute myocardial infarction

In this scenario, the patient presents with diaphoresis and a blood sugar level of 110 mg/dL. Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, can often be a sign of a serious medical condition, particularly in elderly patients with existing comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. Given the patient's symptoms, acute myocardial infarction should be a primary concern. Sweating, along with other potential signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea, can indicate that the heart is not receiving enough oxygen due to a blockage in the coronary arteries. This is especially critical considering the patient’s age and medical history, which increase the likelihood of heart-related issues. While hypoglycemia is a concern for individuals with diabetes, a blood sugar of 110 mg/dL is typically considered to be within a normal range and not low enough to cause hypoglycemic symptoms. Therefore, a hypoglycemic episode is less likely in this case. Options like stroke and acute pancreatitis do present with varying symptoms, but the combination of diaphoresis and the context of the patient's diabetes points more toward acute myocardial infarction as the most pressing concern. Overall, acute myocardial infarction would be the condition to be most suspicious of in this patient