Question

A 28-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes presents to the emergency department with 24 hours of nausea, vomiting, polyuria, and abdominal pain. She stopped taking insulin because of poor oral intake. Vital signs show tachycardia and mild hypotension. Laboratory results: plasma glucose 26 mmol/L, venous pH 7.20, bicarbonate 12 mmol/L, anion gap 20 mmol/L, and moderate serum ketones. According to Canadian guidance, which statement best describes her condition?

Accepted Answer

She meets criteria for diabetic ketoacidosis and requires prompt fluid resuscitation and insulin infusion

Answer

She has hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state and should receive hypertonic saline

Answer

She has simple hyperglycaemia without acidosis and can be managed with subcutaneous insulin at home

Answer

She has lactic acidosis from sepsis and requires immediate antibiotics only

Answer

She has starvation ketosis and will respond to oral carbohydrates alone

Practice question