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DKA dehydration — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateMedical EmergenciesDKA dehydrationDipIMC

A 22-year-old with type 1 diabetes has vomiting, abdominal pain and deep sighing respirations. Capillary glucose is high and ketones are elevated. What is the most appropriate transport decision?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: CTransport urgently to hospital while giving oxygen and careful fluid support within scope

Transport urgently to hospital while giving oxygen and careful fluid support within scope is the best answer because DKA requires hospital insulin, electrolytes and fluid management and can deteriorate rapidly. Transport to the nearest minor injury unit is less appropriate because a minor injury unit cannot provide definitive major trauma care; Remain on scene until observations normalise is less appropriate because normalising observations at scene can delay definitive treatment. Delay transport for full wound cleaning and Allow self-evacuation in a private vehicle are also suboptimal because they move attention away from the key pre-hospital priority.. The key DipIMC principle is to treat immediate reversible threats, communicate clearly and move the patient toward the right definitive care.

Reference: JRCALC Guidelines; NICE Diabetes guidance