A patient begins to experience faintness, double vision and clammy hands. What is the cause?

The symptoms of faintness, double vision, and clammy hands are indicative of hypoglycemia, which is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood sugar levels. When the body's glucose levels drop, it can lead to neurological symptoms such as double vision and faintness due to inadequate energy supply to the brain. Clammy hands are also a common physical manifestation of hypoglycemia because the body activates the sympathetic nervous system in response to low blood sugar, resulting in sweating.

While hypotension, or low blood pressure, can cause faintness or dizziness, it is usually associated with other symptoms such as pallor or weakness rather than clammy hands and double vision. Hyperglycemia, which refers to high blood sugar, typically produces symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, rather than the acute symptoms mentioned. Dehydration might lead to faintness but wouldn't easily explain double vision or clammy hands specifically.

Therefore, based on the clinical presentation of the patient, hypoglycemia is the cause of the symptoms experienced. This underscores the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with low glucose levels in patient care situations.