A -year-old woman with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is brought to the emergency department due to altered mental status, nausea, and vomiting that has progressively worsened over the past hours. She recently had a urinary tract infection and missed several doses of her basal insulin. Her temperature is (), blood pressure is mmHg, pulse is /min, and respirations are /min (deep and rapid). Physical examination reveals dry mucous membranes and delayed capillary refill. Laboratory results are as follows:
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Serum glucose | mg/dL |
| Arterial pH | |
| Serum bicarbonate | mEq/L |
| Serum potassium | mEq/L |
| Serum sodium | mEq/L |
| Serum creatinine | mg/dL |
| Serum ketones | Positive |
Arrange the following steps in the correct sequential order for the most appropriate acute management of this patient's condition.
- 1Administer rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation with normal saline
- 2Administer intravenous potassium chloride and withhold insulin
- 3Initiate a continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion
- 4Add dextrose to the intravenous fluid regimen
- 5Transition to a subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin regimen
Cevap
The correct sequence is: (1) Administer rapid intravenous fluid resuscitation with normal saline, (2) Administer intravenous potassium chloride and withhold insulin, (3) Initiate a continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion, (4) Add dextrose to the intravenous fluid regimen, (5) Transition to a subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin regimen.
The management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) requires a rigorous, stepwise approach. First, profound fluid deficits must be addressed with isotonic saline to restore perfusion. Second, electrolyte derangements must be evaluated. In DKA, total body potassium is depleted due to osmotic diuresis and vomiting. Even if initial serum potassium is normal or high, it will rapidly fall with insulin administration. If the initial potassium is mEq/L (as seen in this patient with mEq/L), insulin MUST be strictly withheld while aggressive intravenous potassium is administered to prevent arrhythmias. Once potassium is mEq/L, a continuous intravenous insulin infusion is started to halt ketogenesis. When glucose falls to mg/dL, dextrose is added to the fluids to prevent hypoglycemia while continuing the insulin required to close the anion gap. Finally, once the anion gap closes and the patient can eat, a transition to subcutaneous insulin is performed.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Stepwise management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in the setting of severe hypokalemia