Which symptom is least likely to be present in a patient experiencing hyperglycemia?

In a patient experiencing hyperglycemia, cold, clammy skin is least likely to be present because this symptom is typically associated with hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia often results from insufficient insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels, and the body’s response can include dehydration and increased urine output.

As a result, patients may exhibit symptoms such as sweet-smelling breath due to the presence of ketones, deep, labored breathing as the body attempts to compensate for acidosis (a common complication in severe hyperglycemia), and altered levels of consciousness as elevated blood sugar can affect brain function. Cold, clammy skin, on the other hand, is characteristic of a state where the body is in distress due to low blood sugar levels, which contrasts sharply with the physiological responses involved in hyperglycemia.