Osmosis video - Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Nursing process (ADPIE)

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition usually seen in people with diabetes mellitus type 1. DKA happens when your body doesn't produce enough insulin to use glucose as an energy source, thus resolving to use fatty acids, and produce ketones. Ketones are poisonous, and they build up in your blood. If not treated, DKA can lead to coma or even death. Even though DKA usually happens to people with type 1 diabetes, it can also happen to people with type 2 diabetes. DKA presents with polydipsia, polyuria, vomiting, and dehydration. It can later progress to mental status changes, coma, and death if not treated on time.