Diabetic ketoacidosis is best described as which combination of findings?

Diabetic ketoacidosis is best described as which combination of findings?

• A. Occurs only in type 2 diabetes
• B. Characterized by low blood glucose
• C. Caused by excessive insulin
• D. Characterized by hyperglycemia, dehydration, and ketone production

Answer: (D)

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens because there isn’t enough insulin to let glucose enter cells. That causes blood glucose to rise (hyperglycemia) and the body to start breaking down fat for energy, producing ketone bodies. The high glucose in the blood also pulls water into the urine, leading to dehydration. The combination of high glucose, dehydration, and ketone production explains why this condition presents with hyperglycemia, dehydration, and ketones, often with acidosis. It’s not a state of low blood glucose, and it’s due to insulin deficiency rather than excess insulin, typically seen most often in type 1 diabetes (though it can occur in type 2 in certain circumstances).

Diabetic ketoacidosis happens because there isn’t enough insulin to let glucose enter cells. That causes blood glucose to rise (hyperglycemia) and the body to start breaking down fat for energy, producing ketone bodies. The high glucose in the blood also pulls water into the urine, leading to dehydration. The combination of high glucose, dehydration, and ketone production explains why this condition presents with hyperglycemia, dehydration, and ketones, often with acidosis. It’s not a state of low blood glucose, and it’s due to insulin deficiency rather than excess insulin, typically seen most often in type 1 diabetes (though it can occur in type 2 in certain circumstances).