Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

What indicates the presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

1. High urine glucose levels

2. Elevated capillary blood glucose

3. Frequent urination

4. Severe thirst

The correct answer is: Elevated capillary blood glucose

The presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is indicated by elevated levels of capillary blood glucose. In DKA, due to a shortage of insulin, the body cannot utilize glucose for energy, resulting in high blood glucose levels. The insufficient insulin also leads to the production of ketones as an alternative energy source, which contributes to metabolic acidosis—a hallmark of DKA. While high urine glucose levels can be present in diabetes, it is the elevation of blood glucose that is more directly associated with DKA and indicates the urgent need for medical intervention. Frequent urination and severe thirst are symptoms that may accompany elevated blood glucose but do not specifically confirm the presence of DKA without the accompanying metabolic disturbances that high blood glucose indicates.