In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, which trio best describes fasting glucose, pH, and ketone bodies?

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, which trio best describes fasting glucose, pH, and ketone bodies?

• A. Elevated glucose, pH elevated, ketones present
• B. Elevated glucose, pH low, ketones present
• C. Elevated glucose, pH normal, ketones absent
• D. Decreased glucose, pH low, ketones absent

Answer: (B)

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin deficiency drives glucose production and fat breakdown, leading to high blood glucose even after fasting, and ketone formation that causes metabolic acidosis. So the pattern you’d expect is elevated fasting glucose, a low pH due to ketoacid buildup, and the presence of ketone bodies. The other patterns don’t fit: a high glucose with elevated pH would not show acidosis; a high glucose with normal pH and no ketones isn’t DKA; a low glucose with low pH and no ketones doesn't match the typical ketoacidosis picture.

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin deficiency drives glucose production and fat breakdown, leading to high blood glucose even after fasting, and ketone formation that causes metabolic acidosis. So the pattern you’d expect is elevated fasting glucose, a low pH due to ketoacid buildup, and the presence of ketone bodies. The other patterns don’t fit: a high glucose with elevated pH would not show acidosis; a high glucose with normal pH and no ketones isn’t DKA; a low glucose with low pH and no ketones doesn't match the typical ketoacidosis picture.