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 | | Screening | |
- Screen all patients with moderate to severely elevated blood sugars (≥350 mg/dL).
- Consider diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with an anion gap metabolic acidosis.
- Consider DKA in diabetes mellitus patients with infection, CVA, MI, or other illness.
- Consider DKA in diabetic patients with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, even if blood glucose is <250 mg/dL.
- Consider DKA in patients on atypical antipsychotics who present with hyperglycemia.
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Screen all patients with moderate to severely elevated blood sugars (≥350 mg/dL).  |
- Measure electrolytes and blood gases to determine whether anion gap metabolic acidosis is present in patients with positive ketones, constitutional symptoms, or suspicion of DKA.
| Background | Back to top
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Consider diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with an anion gap metabolic acidosis.  |
- Measure serum glucose in patients with metabolic acidosis.
| Background | Back to top
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Consider DKA in diabetes mellitus patients with infection, CVA, MI, or other illness.  |
- Measure serum or capillary glucose and if >250 mg/dL, check the patient's electrolyte and ketone levels and anion gap.
| Background | Back to top
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Consider DKA in diabetic patients with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, even if blood glucose is <250 mg/dL. |
- Measure electrolyte and ketone levels and determine anion gap in patients with diabetes and normal sugar levels if symptoms suggest DKA despite normal blood sugar levels.
| Background | Back to top
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Consider DKA in patients on atypical antipsychotics who present with hyperglycemia. |
- Measure anion gap and ketones in patients on atypical antipsychotics who present with moderate to severe hyperglycemia.
| Background | Back to top
| | | FAQs |
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| Ebenezer A. Nyenwe, MD, editorial consultant, has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations. Heather Lochnan, MD has no financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers, or health-care related organizations.
Steven E. Weinberger, MD, FACP, Acting Editor, PIER, has stock holdings in Glaxosmithkline and Abbott. |
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Diabetic Ketoacidosis
