A 19-year-old female with type 1 diabetes mellitus was admitted to the hospital with the following lab values: serum glucose 500 mg/dl (high); urine glucose and ketones 4+ (high); arterial pH 7.20 (low). Her parents state that she has been sick with the "flu" for a week. Which of the following statements best explains her acidotic state?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In type 1 diabetes, there is a deficiency of insulin, which prevents glucose from being used as a fuel source and leads to increased lipid metabolism. Under insulin deficiency, lipolysis increases and promotes the formation of ketones, which can lead to an acidotic state. This is known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Increased insulin levels would have the opposite effect, decreasing lipid metabolism and ketone formation. Renal failure may occur in the late stages of DKA but is not the primary cause of the acidosis.

A 19-Year-Old Female with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Was Admitted