Question

A 23-year-old man with type 1 diabetes presents to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting and polyuria. Capillary glucose is 25 mmol/L and venous blood gas shows pH 7.14, bicarbonate 10 mmol/L and ketonaemia. After initial fluid resuscitation and electrolyte assessment, which insulin regimen best reflects contemporary Australian adult DKA protocols?

Accepted Answer

Fixed-rate intravenous insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hour

Answer

Sliding scale subcutaneous rapid-acting insulin according to capillary glucose

Answer

Intravenous insulin boluses of 10 units every hour

Answer

Continuous intravenous insulin infusion at 2 units/hour regardless of weight

Answer

Once-off subcutaneous long-acting insulin followed by review in 6 hours

Practice question