Describe the pathophysiological process of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Describe the pathophysiological process of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis characterized by a serum glucose level greater than 250 mg per dL, a pH less than 7.3, a serum bicarbonate level less than 18 mEq per L, an elevated serum ketone level, and dehydration. Insulin deficiency is the main precipitating factor. Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur in persons of all ages, with 14 percent of cases arising in persons older than 70 years, 23 percent in persons 51 to 70 years of age, 27 percent in persons 30 to 50 years of age, and 36 percent in persons younger than 30 years. The case fatality rate is 1 to 5 percent. About one-third of all cases are in persons without a history of diabetes mellitus. (Westerberg, 2013). According to, McCance, 2013. In a state of relative insulin deficiency, there is an increase in the concentrations of insulin counterregulatory hormones including catecholamines, cortisol, glucagon, and GH. “These counterregulatory hormones antagonize insulin by increasing glucose production and decreasing tissue use of glucose. Profound insulin deficiency results in decreased glucose uptake increased fat mobilization with the release of fatty acids and accelerated gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. “(McCance, 2013).