Question

A 28-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA: glucose 520 mg/dL, pH 7.14, bicarbonate 9 mEq/L, anion gap 24, serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Hold insulin and give IV potassium until K⁺ >3.3 mEq/L

Answer

Start IV insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hour now

Answer

Start IV insulin and give IV potassium simultaneously

Answer

Give IV sodium bicarbonate immediately

Answer

Switch to 0.45% saline before any potassium

Practice question

A 28-year-old with type 1 diabetes presents with DKA: glucose 520 mg/dL, pH 7.14, bicarbonate 9 mEq/L, anion gap 24, serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate next step?