Question

A 45-year-old with DKA has potassium 2.9 mEq/L, glucose 520 mg/dL, pH 7.08. After starting IV fluids, the next best step is:

Accepted Answer

Hold insulin and aggressively replete potassium until K⁺ ≥3.3 mEq/L

Answer

Start insulin infusion at 0.14 U/kg/h immediately

Answer

Give bicarbonate infusion

Answer

Start insulin bolus 0.1 U/kg then 0.1 U/kg/h

Answer

No potassium repletion needed until urine output begins

Practice question

A 45-year-old with DKA has potassium 2.9 mEq/L, glucose 520 mg/dL, pH 7.08. After starting IV fluids, the next best step is: