Question

A 72-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes is admitted with DKA: K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L, venous pH 7.08, glucose 560 mg/dL, anion gap 26. What is the correct first step before insulin infusion?

Accepted Answer

Administer 40 mEq KCl over 4 hours then start insulin when K⁺ ≥3.3 mEq/L

Answer

Start insulin 0.1 U/kg/h immediately

Answer

Give sodium bicarbonate infusion

Answer

Start insulin and potassium simultaneously regardless of level

Answer

No potassium needed until K⁺ <2.5 mEq/L

Practice question

A 72-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes is admitted with DKA: K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L, venous pH 7.08, glucose 560 mg/dL, anion gap 26. What is the correct first step before insulin infusion?