A 24-year-old woman with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the intensive care unit for the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). On presentation, she has a serum glucose of , an anion gap of , and a serum potassium of . She has received an initial intravenous fluid bolus of 0.9% sodium chloride.
Arrange the following monitoring and therapeutic steps in the correct chronological sequence required for the safe resolution of her DKA and transition to maintenance therapy.
- 1Initiate continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion after confirming serum potassium is .
- 2Add 5% dextrose to the intravenous fluids when the serum glucose concentration decreases to .
- 3Administer the first dose of subcutaneous long-acting insulin once the serum anion gap closes () and the patient is able to eat.
- 4Discontinue the continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion after the administration of subcutaneous insulin.
Cevap
The correct sequence for DKA management is: 1) Initiate continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion after confirming serum potassium is . 2) Add 5% dextrose to the intravenous fluids when the serum glucose concentration decreases to . 3) Administer the first dose of subcutaneous long-acting insulin once the serum anion gap closes () and the patient is able to eat. 4) Discontinue the continuous intravenous regular insulin infusion after the administration of subcutaneous insulin.
The management of DKA requires strict sequential monitoring and therapeutic adjustments. Insulin is the cornerstone of treatment but drives potassium intracellularly; therefore, serum potassium must be verified as prior to initiation. As insulin clears ketones, it also lowers glucose rapidly. To allow continuous insulin administration until the anion gap closes without causing hypoglycemia, 5% dextrose is added to IV fluids when glucose reaches . Once the anion gap normalizes (), DKA has resolved, and subcutaneous insulin can be administered. Finally, a overlap is mandatory before stopping the IV insulin drip to allow the subcutaneous depot to absorb and prevent rebound ketoacidosis.
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Anahtar Kavram
Monitoring and sequential treatment adjustment in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)