Hyperglycemia vs. Hypoglycemia

[Ruba]

Which one is scarier to see, hypoglycemic patient or hyperglycemic?

From the ED perspective, hyperglycemia is "scarier" in that it's more complicated.

Hypoglycemia is generally a matter of D50 as needed until they're eating and ultimately until their glucose stabilizes and send 'em home.

Hyperglycemia can go all kinds of bad and land one in the ICU. I guess you could argue that it doesn't get 'scary' until they become acidotic and ketotic (sequellae of hyperglycemia).

Parenthetically, I loathe the adjective "scary" in these terms. As I've often replied to people, "Why would I be scared? It's not me on the table, nor my kid."