Diabetic emergancies

Question 1

How do you diagnose Diabetic ketoacidosis medically?

Answer 1

Ketonaemia = > 3 mmol/L or >2+ of standard urine stick

Blood glucose > 11.0 mmol/L

Bicarbonate < 15 mmol/L or venous pH < 7.3

Question 2

What does urine ketone testing look for?

Answer 2

Acetoacetate

Question 3

What is impotant o remember about urine ketone testing?

Answer 3

Indicates levels of ketone 2-4 hrs previously

Ketonuria persists after clincial improvement due to miblisation of ketones from fat tissue