The risk factors B.Z. may have for contracting NIDDM are genetics and obesity. The case study had stated that his father and paternal grandmother had developed diabetes. The other risk factor is obesity because B.Z. is 5’8” and 210lbs, which is very much over weight for his height. The pathophysiology of NIDDM, which is a non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and the body stops producing enough insulin for the body. The body does not have any ketones and occurs more frequently in people over the age of 30. The signs and symptoms of NIDDM are a delay in the secretion of insulin, it gets worse with age, Muscle and adipose tissue are most resistant, you will have high blood sugar levels, and the liver will initiate gluconeogenesis. The basic defect in this type of diabetes is genetics and obesity.

2. The significance of B.Z.’s report of Polydipsia and Polyuria are that the signs and symptoms are very similar to the signs and symptoms of diabetes. The 3 P’s in diabetes are polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. Polyuria is increased urine output. Polydipsia is increased thirst. Polyphagia is increased eating or hunger. The water is pulled intracellular causing dehydration.
- The recent weight loss of B.Z. is due to the fluid in the osmolarity levels and the loss of body tissue.
- Orthostatic Hypotention is an abnormal decrease in blood pressure when a person stands up. B.Z. has orthostatic hypotension because he is not getting enough blood flow to the brain.

3. Hyperosmotic hyperglycemic nonketotic coma is diabetes characterized by high blood levels of glucose but without significantly increased blood levels of ketone bodies. This is a result from poor control of glucose levels. It is also a metabolic acidosis.
- HHNK is different than diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) because in DKA the body does contain ketones, which help lower the pH in the blood.