Determine if the patient meets the criteria for Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a condition where three states—hyperglycemia (serum glucose >250 mg/dL), acidosis (arterial blood pH <7.3 and bicarbonate <15 mEq/L), and ketosis (presence of ketones in blood and/or urine)—combine into a syndrome.
DKA is one of the acute complications of diabetes, mainly occurring in type 1 diabetes (DM1). It is often the first presentation of type 1 diabetes.
DKA is caused by insufficient insulin, preventing glucose from entering cells for energy. This results in metabolic disturbances affecting acid-base balance and electrolytes. If untreated, it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms include fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Additional warning signs include rapid breathing (Kussmaul breathing), dehydration, tachycardia, low blood pressure, and fruity breath odor. Read the blog to know more.