A 40-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA. K⁺ is 3.0 mEq/L after initial fluids. What is the next step before starting insulin infusion?...

Question

A 40-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA. K⁺ is 3.0 mEq/L after initial fluids. What is the next step before starting insulin infusion?

Accepted Answer

Replete potassium to >3.3 mEq/L, then start insulin

Answer

Start insulin infusion immediately at 0.1 U/kg/h

Answer

Give bicarbonate first

Answer

Hold fluids until potassium normalizes

Answer

Give long-acting insulin only

us-abfm MCQ (SBA): DKA