North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

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What characterizes Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

  1. Normal or low glucose levels

  2. Prolonged hyperglycemia with very high glucose levels

  3. Low levels of ketones in the blood

  4. Sudden drops in blood pressure

The correct answer is: Prolonged hyperglycemia with very high glucose levels

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is primarily characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia, which means significantly elevated blood glucose levels. In this condition, the body, usually due to insufficient insulin, is unable to utilize glucose effectively for energy. As a result, it starts breaking down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones. The combination of high glucose levels and the presence of ketones in the blood, along with acidotic pH levels, defines DKA. When examining the other options, normal or low glucose levels would not align with the hyperglycemic nature of DKA; instead, such levels would typically indicate better glycemic control or another condition. Low levels of ketones in the blood contradict the essence of DKA since the presence of high ketone levels contributes significantly to the condition's acid-base imbalance. A sudden drop in blood pressure is also not a defining characteristic of DKA; while dehydration from the condition may lead to hypotension, it is not a primary feature of the diagnosis. Thus, the defining characteristic of DKA is indeed prolonged hyperglycemia with very high glucose levels.

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