Ketonuria, Kussmaul respirations, hyperglycemia, and fluid imbalance are characteristics of:

Ketonuria, Kussmaul respirations, hyperglycemia, and fluid imbalance are characteristics of:

• A. Stroke
• B. Myocardial infarction
• C. Acute asthma attack
• D. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Answer: (D)

This item tests recognizing diabetic ketoacidosis from its defining signs. In DKA, lack of insulin leads to very high blood glucose and active breakdown of fats, producing ketones. The ketones cause a metabolic acidosis, so the body tries to compensate with deep, rapid breathing known as Kussmaul respirations. The extreme hyperglycemia also causes osmotic diuresis, pulling fluids out of the body and leading to fluid imbalance or dehydration. The combination of ketonuria, hyperglycemia, and dehydration with Kussmaul breathing is characteristic of DKA. Stroke and myocardial infarction don’t produce this pattern of metabolic derangements or Kussmaul respiration. An acute asthma attack involves bronchospasm with wheezing and hypoxemia rather than ketone production or profound dehydration.

This item tests recognizing diabetic ketoacidosis from its defining signs. In DKA, lack of insulin leads to very high blood glucose and active breakdown of fats, producing ketones. The ketones cause a metabolic acidosis, so the body tries to compensate with deep, rapid breathing known as Kussmaul respirations. The extreme hyperglycemia also causes osmotic diuresis, pulling fluids out of the body and leading to fluid imbalance or dehydration. The combination of ketonuria, hyperglycemia, and dehydration with Kussmaul breathing is characteristic of DKA.

Stroke and myocardial infarction don’t produce this pattern of metabolic derangements or Kussmaul respiration. An acute asthma attack involves bronchospasm with wheezing and hypoxemia rather than ketone production or profound dehydration.