Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Need responses to my peers done in 12 hours. Please respond to my classmates post as if it were me.

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Min of 150 words per post response— EACH

1 Scholarly source ( no older than 5 years)—EACH

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POST 1

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a very serious and common complication of type 1 diabetes, but can also occur in individuals with type 2 diabetes. According to Misra and Oliver (2015) DKA has a mortality rate of 3-5%, and 6% of DKA cases are the initial presentation of diabetes in an individual.

DKA most often occurs due to an illness, such as an infection, “when there is an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin and an increase in the levels of insulin counterregulatory hormones” (McCance et al., 2013, p. 744). The increase of these hormones, along with the deficiency of insulin, cause the body to go into a state in which there is “decreased glucose uptake, increased fat mobilization with release of fatty acids, and accelerated gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis” (McCance et al., p. 744). Additionally, increased ketone concentrations are caused, which then causes a loss of bicarbonate, and leads to the development of a metabolic acidosis.

Hallmark signs of DKA include polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, altered mental status, Kussmaul respirations, and sweet-smelling (acetone) breath.

In the case of Ms. Blake, the following are all abnormal lab results: Sodium 156; Chloride 115; ABG pH 7.30, PO2 70 and HCO3 20. The ABG values show a metabolic acidosis as well as a low blood oxygen saturation. The sodium may be elevated in this case due to severe dehydration, which can also cause other dangerous electrolyte abnormalities.

For patients with all types of diabetes, it is important to ensure that they understand the many complications that are associated with their diagnosis. For Ms. Blake, it is important to ensure that she understands the severity of her DKA diagnosis, and how it may have been prevented. Education should also be reinforced in regard to the home monitoring of glucose and ketone levels. Additionally, it is important to find out if she has family or friends that are available to check in with her frequently, especially when she if feeling unwell, so that she can be seen by a physician sooner rather than later.