Diabetic Ketoacidosis Flashcards
What Diabetic ketoacidosis?
triad of hyperglycaemia (or a history of diabetes), ketonaemia, and metabolic acidosis, with rapid symptom onset
What are 3 parameters for diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Acidaemia pH <7.3
- Hyperglycaemia >11.0mmol/L
- Ketonaemia >3.0mmol/L or significant ketonuria (more than 2+ on dipstick)
What are RF for diabetic ketoacidosis?
- Infection
- Discontinuation or inadequate insulin therapy
- MI
What are symptoms and signs of DKA?
- Increased thirst
- Polyuria
- Weight loss
- Excessive tiredness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Reduced consciousness
- Hyperventilation
- Acetone smell on breath
What are possible DDx for DKA?
- Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia state (HHS)
- Lactic acidosis
- Starvation ketosis
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis
- Salicylate poisoning
- Methanol intoxication
- Uraemic acidosis
What investigations are used for DKA?
- Venous blood gas
- Blood ketones
- Blood glucose
- U+Es
- FBC
What does venous blood gas show in DKA?
metabolic acidosis with raised anion gap (>16 severe)
What is blood ketones like in DKA?
ketonaemia (ketones >3.0 mmol/L)
What is blood glucose like in DKA?
hyperglycaemia (blood glucose >11.0 mmol/L) (but could be normal)
What are U+Es like in DKA?
hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia are common but hypokalaemia is an indicator of severe DKA
What can FBC show in DKA?
leukocytosis
What is management plan for DKA?
- Fluids started (normal saline) + KCL (if K+<5.5)
- Iv insulin after fluids only when K+ not <3.5 – fixed rate insulin infusion
- Include dextrose in fluid if it falls <14
- Treat underlying cause e.g. Abx
What are possible complications of DKA?
- Hypokalaemia
- Hypoglycaemia
- Arterial or venous thromboembolic events
- Cerebral oedema/brain injury
- Pulmonary oedema/ARDS
- Non-anion gap hyperchloremic acidosis
What are mortality rates like for DKA?
have fallen significantly in the last 20 years from 7.96% to 0.67%
What are key symptoms of DKA?
- Kussmaul breathing (deep hyperventilation)
- Sweet smelling breath
- Abdominal pain
- N and V