All About DKA
This primary hormone is deficient or absent in DKA, leading to uncontrolled glucose.
Insulin
This type of diabetes is most commonly associated with HHS.
Type 2 Diabetes
The medical term for high blood sugar
Hyperglycemia
This laboratory test will reveal the presence of ketones and glucose in the urine.
Urinalysis
The body experiences cellular starvation in DKA, leading to the breakdown of fats for energy; therefore, strategic administration of glucose is a critical part of treatment to address this underlying concept.
Nutrition
A nurse should anticipate administering this initially to correct severe dehydration in DKA.
Intravenous (IV) fluids
This age group is more susceptible to HHS, often triggered by an underlying infection.
Older Adult
Dehydration
This laboratory test directly measures the degree of acidosis.
ABGs
The extremely high glucose levels cause significant osmotic diuresis (glucose pulling water out of the body through the kidneys), causing alterations in this nursing concept.
Besides high blood glucose, these acidic byproducts of fat metabolism are elevated in DKA.
Ketones
Patients with HHS typically have higher levels of this due to some residual insulin production.
Blood Glucose
This condition is triggered by a missed or insufficient dose of insulin, illness or infection, or can even be the first sign of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
This laboratory test will measure the severity of electrolyte imbalances in patients with diabetic complications.
Comprehensive metabolic profile (CMP)
Acid-base imbalance
This rapid, deep breathing pattern is a compensatory mechanism for acidosis seen in DKA.
Kussmaul Respirations
Priority intervention for correcting an unstable blood sugar in HHS.
Intravenous (IV) regular insulin
This measures the amount of particles in the bloodstream versus the amount of fluid in the blood.
Serum Osmolality
This lab indicates an accumulation of unmeasured acids (like ketones) and is a critical diagnostic and monitoring tool for DKA severity.
Anion Gap
The compensating mechanism to help reduce the acidosis in the body by releasing excess CO2 impacts this related nursing concept.
Oxygenation
This imbalance is a hallmark of DKA, caused by the accumulation of acids.
Metabolic Acidosis
This should be administered when blood sugar stabilizes to less than 250 mg/dL.
Both DKA and HHS patients can present with these "3 P”s of hyperglycemia.
Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia
Close monitoring and replacement of this electrolyte is crucial during HHS treatment to prevent life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias as insulin is administered.
Potassium
Long-standing diabetes, which causes neuropathy, also causes damage to small blood vessels (microvasculature), impacting this related nursing concept
Perfusion