Alcohol ketoacidosis

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

brought on by alcohol dependency and excessive vomiting

Question 2

how does it present?

Answer 2

abdominal pain
vomiting ++
hypotensive
tachypnoeic

Question 3

what are the biochemical results?

Answer 3

Dehydration common
Ketonaemia >3mmol/L or significant ketonuria (>2+ on standard urine stick)
Bicarbonate usually <15mmol/L or venous pH<7.3 in severe cases
Glucose usually normal

Question 4

how is it managed?

Answer 4

IV pabrinex - high dose vitamins 
IV fluids 
IV anti-emetics 
Insulin on occasion 
Address the alcohol dependency