Acute & emergency · UKMLA & AKT

Diabetic ketoacidosis

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise diabetic ketoacidosis — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • DKA is a life-threatening emergency caused by severe insulin deficiency, most commonly in type 1 diabetes. All three criteria must be present:
  • Blood glucose >11 mmol/L (or known diabetes mellitus)
  • Blood ketones >3 mmol/L (or urinary ketones 2+ or more on dipstick)
  • pH <7.3 and/or bicarbonate <15 mmol/L

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