Question

A 7-year-old boy with known type 1 diabetes presents drowsy with abdominal pain. His capillary glucose is 26 mmol/L, pH 7.10 and ketones 5.5 mmol/L. What is the most important initial fluid management?

Accepted Answer

0.9% sodium chloride intravenous fluid bolus (10–20 mL/kg) followed by carefully calculated IV fluids

Answer

Rapid IV bolus of hypotonic saline (0.45%)

Answer

Slow subcutaneous insulin infusion only

Answer

Oral rehydration solution as tolerated

Answer

5% dextrose bolus to correct hyperglycaemia

Practice question

A 7-year-old boy with known type 1 diabetes presents drowsy with abdominal pain. His capillary glucose is 26 mmol/L, pH 7.10 and ketones 5.5 mmol/L. What is the most important initial fluid management?