Question

A 22-year-old man with type 1 diabetes presents with abdominal pain, vomiting and drowsiness. Capillary glucose is 29 mmol/L, ketones 5.5 mmol/L and venous pH 7.09. He is tachycardic and mildly hypotensive. According to UK DKA management protocols, what is the single most important first treatment step?

Accepted Answer

Give rapid intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride bolus.

Answer

Start a fixed-rate intravenous insulin infusion immediately.

Answer

Give 10% dextrose infusion to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Answer

Give intravenous bicarbonate to correct acidosis.

Answer

Start subcutaneous insulin using a sliding scale.

Practice question