Diabetic Ketoacidosis Flashcards
What is DKA
An acute and potentially life threatening complication associated with Diabetes Melitus
Who is susceptible to DKA
Type 1 DM, but Type 2 is also susceptible
Can also occur in people who are not known diabetics and is the first sign that they are diabetic
What causes DKA
Insulin deficiency(Type 1DM)
Stress
Cardiovascular disease
Infections
Produces insulin
Pancreas (beta cells)
Pushes insulin into the cells
Insulin deficiency causes
High blood glucose levels while cells starve
What mechanism does the body uses to compensate for deficient glucose
Counter-regulatory hormones
(Glucagon, epinephrine, cortisol, growth hormone)
What does the body do to get more glucose
Breaks down glycogen, proteins and fat to glucose
What happens when the body breaks down glycogen, protein and fats in the body?
More sugar levels in the blood as the body cannot use the glucose
As the blood sugar levels causes the kidneys to reabsorb it…
Overflows into urine and takes water and electrolytes along with it(osmotic diuresis)
Osmotic diuresis causes
Excessive urine(polyuria)
Dehydration
Excessive thirst(polydipsia)
Fatty acids are broken by the liver into?
Ketone bodies
Ketones causes the breath to have a
Fruity smell
Are ketone bodies acidic or alkaline?
Acidic
In large amounts ketone bodies
Overwhelms the buffering system and leads to metabolic acidosis
The deep and labored breathing produced during compensation
Kussmaul breathing
