Question

A client with type 1 diabetesis admitted to an acute care facility withdiabetic ketoacidosis. To correct this acute diabetic emergency, which measure should the health care team take first?
A. Initiate fluid replacement therapy.
B. Administer insulin.
C. Correct diabetic ketoacidosis.
D. Determine the cause of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Answer 1

A. Initiate fluid replacement therapy

Explanation:

Ketoacidosis occurs when the body fats are broken down rapidly by the liver to release ketones in the blood.

Excess of ketones in the blood makes it acidic and as a result the tissues get damaged and dehydrated.

In case it is left untreated it can be life threatening.

Ketoacidosis is generally observed in people with diabetes and this condition is often treated by administering insulin in the body.

However, the fluid replacement therapy should be the first step to treat this condition because, the body must not go into dehydrated state and the volume of fluid in body should be maintained to circulate insulin properly.