Diabetes, DKA, HHNK Flashcards
What is diabetic ketoacidosis?
DKA develops when the body doesn’t have enough insulin, so the cells can’t use the glucose in the blood. Instead the liver breaks down fat for enegy, a process that creates ketones.
Over what period of time does DKA usually develop?
Rapidly over hours (sometimes days)
Why are people in DKA dehydrated?
- The blood is hyperglycemic.
- The excess glucose is excreeted through the urine. Glucose pulls water with it, causing an increase in urination.
- Increased urination causes dehydration, poor skin turgor, and hypotension
Why does the body become acidic? (DKA)
The breakdown of fat into ketones creates acids (byproduct) = state of acidosis.
Describe the type of respiration this patient could have? (DKA)
Kussmals respirations (rapid and deep)
Compensation. Trying to blow of more CO2 (to decrease pH)
What are signs and symptoms of acidosis?
- Abdominal pain
- n/v
- arrhythmias
- altered mental status
Why does acidosis cause arrhythmias?
Acids are protons. Protons fucks with the electrolyte balance of the body. Causes hyperkalemia.
What does hyperkalemia look like on an ECG.
- Peaked T-wave
- P waves disappear
- Bradycardia
- Prolonged QRS/bizzare QRS morphology
- Sine wave
*Worsening hyperkalemia signs *
In what population is it most common to see DKA
Type 1 diabetes
What are some causes for DKA?
- Inection
- Intoxication
- Not taking insulin as prescribes (they forgot…)
- Intercurrent illness (MI, stroke, infections)
What are signs and symptoms of DKA
- Altered mental status
- Abdominal pain
- Hypotension
- n/v
- Fruity breath
- Headache
- Poor skin turgor
- Tachycardia
- Kussmals
- Polyuria
- Arrhythmia
What are 5 complications of DKA
- Hyperkalemia
- Cerebral edema
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Acute respiratory failure
- Hypoglycemia
What is the function of glucagon (hormone)
It stimulates hepatocytes to break down stored glycogen into glucose. (Glycogenolysis)
Glucagon is secreted by which organ?
Pancreas
