In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, which of the following laboratory findings would be expected?

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, which of the following laboratory findings would be expected?

• A. Fasting blood glucose elevated, pH elevated, ketone bodies present
• B. Fasting blood glucose elevated, pH low, ketone bodies present
• C. Fasting blood glucose elevated, pH normal, ketone bodies absent
• D. Fasting blood glucose decreased, pH low, ketone bodies absent

Answer: (B)

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin deficiency leads to high blood glucose, increased lipolysis, and ketone production. The lack of insulin plus counter-regulatory hormones drives the liver to produce ketone bodies, which accumulate and cause metabolic acidosis. So the expected laboratory pattern is elevated fasting glucose, a low pH due to acidosis, and detectable ketone bodies in the blood or urine. This is consistent with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketosis. Patterns with normal or high pH, or with hypoglycemia and no ketones, do not fit DKA.

In acute diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin deficiency leads to high blood glucose, increased lipolysis, and ketone production. The lack of insulin plus counter-regulatory hormones drives the liver to produce ketone bodies, which accumulate and cause metabolic acidosis. So the expected laboratory pattern is elevated fasting glucose, a low pH due to acidosis, and detectable ketone bodies in the blood or urine. This is consistent with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketosis. Patterns with normal or high pH, or with hypoglycemia and no ketones, do not fit DKA.