A 28-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA: glucose 520 mg/dL, venous pH 7.18, bicarbonate 10 mEq/L, anion gap 24. Serum potassium is 2.9 mE...

Question

A 28-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA: glucose 520 mg/dL, venous pH 7.18, bicarbonate 10 mEq/L, anion gap 24. Serum potassium is 2.9 mEq/L. What is the best next step?

Accepted Answer

Administer IV potassium to raise K+ to >=3.3 mEq/L before starting insulin.

Answer

Start IV regular insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hour now.

Answer

Give sodium bicarbonate infusion.

Answer

Add dextrose 5% to IV fluids immediately.

Answer

Start subcutaneous rapid-acting insulin every hour.

us-abim MCQ (SBA): DKA

A 28-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA: glucose 520 mg/dL, venous pH 7.18, bicarbonate 10 mEq/L, anion gap 24. Serum potassium is 2.9 mEq/L. What is the best next step?