Which statement best describes diabetic ketoacidosis?

Which statement best describes diabetic ketoacidosis?

• A. It is a severe hyperglycemia characterized by ketosis, acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
• B. It is a mild hyperglycemia without ketosis or acidosis.
• C. It is primarily a hypoglycemic event with electrolyte excess.
• D. It is a non-ketotic hyperglycemic state without dehydration.

Answer: (A)

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe metabolic crisis that combines high blood glucose with ketosis and metabolic acidosis, along with dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. Insufficient insulin plus excess counter-regulatory hormones trigger lipolysis and ketogenesis, producing ketone bodies that cause acidosis. The high glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to marked dehydration and losses of electrolytes (and often a total body potassium deficit despite what the serum levels may suggest). This profile—severe hyperglycemia with ketosis, acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance—distinguishes DKA from milder hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, or non-ketotic hyperglycemic states.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a severe metabolic crisis that combines high blood glucose with ketosis and metabolic acidosis, along with dehydration and electrolyte disturbances. Insufficient insulin plus excess counter-regulatory hormones trigger lipolysis and ketogenesis, producing ketone bodies that cause acidosis. The high glucose causes osmotic diuresis, leading to marked dehydration and losses of electrolytes (and often a total body potassium deficit despite what the serum levels may suggest). This profile—severe hyperglycemia with ketosis, acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance—distinguishes DKA from milder hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, or non-ketotic hyperglycemic states.