Global Health
Laboratory Values and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Changes in lab values often give us clues about what is going on on with our patients. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a severe, uncontrolled diabetes characterised by hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and ketonuria. Here’s a handy table of lab values related to DKA.
| Blood glucose level | Above 250 mg/dl |
| Arterial pH | Less than 7.30 |
| Anion gap | Greater than 10 |
| Serum bicarbonate | Less than 18 mEq/l |
| Urine evaluation | Ketones and glucose present |
| Serum creatinine | Often raised |
| Serum sodium | Often elevated or normal |
| Serum potassium | Often elevated or normal |
| Serum phosphate | Often elevated or normal |
| White blood cell count | Slightly raised |
Use this equation to calculate the anion gap: Anion gap = Na+(mEq/l) – [Cl–(mEq/L) + HCO3–(mEq/L)]
You play a vital role in caring for a patient with DKA. Careful physical examinations, careful monitoring of laboratory values, and important considering are essential to avoid complications of this complex disorder. Have you cared for a patient with DKA? What are the standard signs and symptoms?
Hirsh, IB, & Emmett, M (2022, July 27). Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in adults: Clinical features, evaluation, and diagnosis. . https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diabetic-ketoacidosis-and-hyperosmolar-hyperglymic-state-in-adults-clinical-features-evaluation-and-diagnosis
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