Question

A young adult male is admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). His pH is 7.25, HCO3 is 12 mEq/L or 12 mmol/L (SI), and blood glucose is 310 mg/dl or 17.2 mmol/L (SI). Which action should the nurse implement?

Answer 1

Diabetic ketoacidosis leads to a decrease in blood pH below the normal range (7.35-7.45), creating a state of metabolic acidosis. Treatment includes insulin administration, hydration, and electrolyte balance restoration.

Step-by-step explanation:

A young adult male is admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). His pH is 7.25, HCO3 is 12 mEq/L and his blood glucose is 310 mg/dl. Among the multiple-choice options provided, the correct answer is that diabetic ketoacidosis decreases the normal pH (7.35-7.45) to a lower value.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It develops when the body can't produce enough insulin. Insulin plays a vital role in helping sugar (glucose), a major source of energy for your muscles and other tissues, enter cells. Without enough insulin, your body begins to break down fat as fuel, which produces a buildup of acids in the bloodstream called ketones, eventually leading to DKA if left untreated.

The acid-base balance of the blood is typically maintained within a tight range, with a pH of 7.35-7.45. In DKA, there is an accumulation of keto acids which results in a decrease in the blood pH, characterizing the condition as a metabolic acidosis. When caring for a patient with DKA, the primary goal is to correct the high blood sugar levels with insulin therapy, rehydrate the patient, and restore the normal electrolyte balance.