Complications of DM (Pales)- SRS Flashcards
(90 cards)
Describe the likely findings in DKA for each of the following levels.
- Blood glucose
- Blood pH
- Serum Bicarbonate
- Ketones
- Blood glucose > 250 mg/dL
- Blood pH < 7.3
- Serum Bicarbonate < 15 mEq/L
- Ketones positive
Contrast DKA in type one and two DM.
Type I DM
- Usually initial presentation
- Insulin non-compliance
- Increase in anti-insulin hormones (cortisol etc) during stress (infection, surgery etc.)
Type II DM
- Late stages of Beta-Cells failure
- During stress
DKA presents clinically with an onset of 1-2 days, polyuria and polydipsia, weakness, decreased appetite, nausea, vague abdominal pain.
Mental statuse changes also accompany this, what are they?
What is the mortality rate from DKA?
Mental status changes
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Coma/convulsions
5 - 20% mortality rate
The physical exam of a DKA patient will vary greatly depending on the severity of the episode. You will find signs that fall into two distinct categories.
- Signs of acidosis
- Signs of dehydration
What are the signs of acidosis you would expect to see? 4
- Confusion
- Lethargy
- Kussmal Respiration
- Fruity breath odor (acetone)
The physical exam of a DKA patient will vary greatly depending on the severity of the episode. You will find signs that fall into two distinct categories.
Signs of acidosis
Signs of dehydration
What are the signs of dehydration you would expect to see? 3
- Oral membranes dry/cracked
- Turgor of skin
- Hypotension/tachycardia
As we discussed earlier a patient in DKA will have high blood glucose (350-900), Low CO2/bicarb/pH, high ketones/acetone/ketoacids.
What will the following labs look like in a DKA patient?
- BUN
- Creatinine
- Serum K+
- Total K+
- Na+
- Phosphorous
High
- BUN
- Creatinine
- Serum K+
- Phosphorus
Low
- Na+
- Total K+
Describe the four main components of the treatment of the DKA patient.
- I.V. Insulin
- I.V. Fluids (typically 100 ml/kg water deficit)
- Electrolytes replacements
- Ventilatory support in severe cases
Once the DKA episode has resolved, you should switch from IV insulin to subq injections. How do you know that the DKA episode is over?
Normalization of anion gap is the most important indicator of resolution of DKA (as bicarb may remain low due to non-gap anion gap acidosis)
You have a patient with the following lab values…
- Hyperglycemia > 600 mg/dL.
- Serum osmolality > 310 mosm/kg.
- No acidosis; blood pH above 7.3.
- Serum bicarbonate > 15 mEq/L.
- Normal anion gap (< 14 mEq/L).
What does this patient have?
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic state, and type II DM
Describe the cycle of the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic state.
Hyperglycemia –> osmotic diuresis –> dehydration –> increased osmolality, decrease in free fluid –> hyperglycemia (solute concentration)
What are the possible consequences of a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic state?
Hypovolemic shock
End organ damage
- Coma
- Renal Failure
What patients are at risk for a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketotic state?
What does it arise d/t? 3
Type II diabetics only, typically older patients with poor care and dementia.
Due to:
- non-compliance with medications
- Acute infection/stress
- Inability to increase oral intake in response to increase urinary output
A Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-ketotic state presents with insidious onset, lethargy, very high glucose, no acidosis (unless lactic acidosis develops), low K+, Na+ high or low, and an elevated BUN/CR.
What is a significant PE finding you will see in these patients?
Severe state of dehydration with around 15% ECF loss.
What are the four main components of the treatment of a Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-ketotic state?
- I.V. fluids (most critical)
- Some iv insulin
- Electrolyte replacement
- Ventilatory support needed at times
Hypoglycemic coma can present with initial symptoms at what blood glucose level?
Blood glucose less than 80… unless the patient has had high glucose for a long time, in which case they have a “new normal”, and a return to actual normal glucose levels represents a hypoglycemic state for that patient.
So, the symptoms of hypoglycemic coma arise around a blood glucose of ~80 normally. When does the Coma/passing out stage hit?
Coma/passing out only if blood glucose is less than 50.
What patients are a high risk for hypoglycemic coma?
Why?
ÒLong term diabetics or patients on beta blockers may not have any initial symptoms until they pass out (hypoglycemia unawareness)
What are the key signs of hypoglycemic coma?
10
- Shaking
- Sweating
- anxious
- dizziness
- hunger
- fast heartbeat
- impaired vision
- weakness, fatigue
- headache
- irritable
What should be done to treat a patient in a hypoglycemic coma?
- Sugar orally if able or iv D50
- Glucagon SQ injection
- Review the causes
- Too much medication
- Skipped meal
- Exercises
What is a card prompt I wonder…
What two main categories do the chronic complications of DM fall under?
Macrovascular
Microvascular
What are the 3 main categories of microvascular complications of DM?
- Neuropathy
- Nephropathy
- Retinopathy
The major macrovascular complication of DM is atherosclerosis of large arteries. What are the main problems we see arise in these patients as a result of this?
looking for 5, but there are tons you could hit
- Coronary—->MI
- Cerebral/Carotid—> Stroke
- LE—>LE amputation
- Renal—> HTN—> MI/Stroke
- Mesenteric à Bowell ischemia
Neuropathy is a common microvascular complication of DM, and hits what components of the nervous system?
Peripheral
Autonomic
Ocular complications of diabetes develop 15 -30 years after diagnosis typically. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of adult onset blindness in the US. What are the two types of retinopathy seen in these patients?
- Nonproliferative (“background”) retinopathy
- Proliferative retinopathy




