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On March 6th, 2019, Maria Fernandez, a 19-year-old female, presented to the Emergency Department with complaints of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy. She reveals a recent diagnosis of type 1 diabetes but admits to noncompliance with treatment. At the time of admission, Maria’s vital signs were as follows: BP 87/50, HR 118, RR 28, O2 95% on room air, diffuse abdominal pain at a level of 5, on a verbal numeric 1-10 scale, with non radiating pain beginning that morning. She was A&O x3, oriented to self, place, and situation, but sluggish. Upon assessment it is revealed that she is experiencing blurry vision, kussmaul respirations, dry, flushed skin, poor skin turgor, weakness, and a fruity breath smell. Labs were drawn. During the first hour of admission, Maria requested water four times and urinated three times.

Code status: Full code

Medical hx: Type 1 Diabetes

Insurance: None

Allergies: NKA

Significant Lab Values

● Blood glucose 388

● ABGs: pH 7.25, Bicarb 12 mEq/L, paCO2 30 mm Hg, anion gap 20 mEq/L, paO2 94%

● Urinalysis: Ketones and acetone present, BUN 25 mL/dL, Cr 2.1 ml/dL

● Chemistry: sodium 111 mEq/L, potassium 5.5 mEq/L, chloride 90 mEq/L, phosphorus

2.5 mg/dL, Magnesium 2.0 mg/dL

● CBC: WBC 13,000 mcL, RBC 4.7 mcL, Hgb 12.6 g/dL , Hct 37% (Wolters Kluwer,

2018).

Diagnosis: Diabetes Ketoacidosis

Treatment

● Oxygen administration by nasal cannula on 2L and airway management

Establish IV access

● IV fluid administration with 0.9% NS; prepare to titrate to 0.45% normal saline as needed

● Monitor blood glucose levels

● Administer 0.1-0.15 unit/kg IV bolus of regular insulin

● IV drip infusion at 0.1 unit/kg/hr of regular insulin to hyperglycemia after bolus,

● Addition of Dextrose to 0.9% NS as glucose levels decreases to 250 mg/dL

● Monitor potassium levels

● Potassium replacement via IV when the potassium level is 5.0 mg.dL or less and urine

output is adequate

● Assess for signs of hypokalemia or hyperkalemia

● Monitor vital signs and cardiac rhythm

● Q1-2hr fingerstick blood glucose checks initially, then q4-6hr once stabilized

● Monitor blood pH, I&O

● Assess level of consciousness; provide seizure and safety precautions (Henry et al., 2016)

● Notify MD of any critical changes

Maria Fernandez was then transferred to the ICU unit for close observation, maintenance of IV insulin drip, cardiac monitoring, fluid resuscitation, and correction for metabolic acidosis. Upon discharge, Maria was reeducated on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus through the use of preferred learning materials.

Questions

1. What is the priority assessment data that supports DKA diagnosis?

2. What education strategies would you consider implementing to improve treatment adherence after discharge?

3. What considerations, services, or resources would you anticipate to be offered by case management or social services?

References

Henry, N.J., McMichael, M., Johnson, J., DiStasi, A., Ball, B.S., Holman, H.C., Elkins, C.B.,

Janowski, M.J., Hertel, R.A., Barlow, M.S., Leehy, P., & Lemon, T. (2016). RN adult

medical surgical nursing: Review module (10th ed.). Leawood, KS: Assessment

Technologies Institute.

Wolters Kluwer. (2018). Lippincott Nursing Advisor (Version 4.1.0) [Mobile application

software]. Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com