Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Always remember to measure plasma/blood glucose in insulin-treated diabetic patients showing symptoms of any kind. Check for an acute disease needing treatment (infection) as the reason for plasma glucose increase. Ketoacidosis must always be treated in hospital. If the hyperglycaemic, non-ketotic patient is not admitted to hospital for observation, make sure that the patient is given insulin and the plasma glucose begins to decrease. the patient is able to take care of himself and gets immediate help if he feels any worse. The reason for ketoacidosis should always be investigated and the patient's awareness of, and ability to manage, his/her diabetes should be checked.