In diabetic ketoacidosis, there is increased acid in the extracellular space. According to FA there is a transcellular shift due to decreased insulin that leads to more H+ entering the cell in exchange for K+. This leads to hyperkalemia with depleted intracellular stores of K+. There is also osmotic diuresis that leads to increased K+ loss in the urine and total body K+ depletion. The question asks that is most likely to decrease with insulin therapy: serum potassium concentration will decrease as K+ is now exchanged for H+ inside the cell.
cienfuegosAdditional UW fun facts regarding Potassium and DKA:
use caution giving insulin and IV fluids to dehydrated hyperglycemic because i forces K in cells causing fast decrease of extracellular Potassium, thus give K supplementation even when serum K elevated+2019-07-24T00:24:10Z
linwanrun1357Why urine K+ does not decrease?+2019-09-16T12:29:23Z
to snoo-finity ... and beyond!
submitted by nala_ula(39), 2019-06-18T17:27:28Z
In diabetic ketoacidosis, there is increased acid in the extracellular space. According to FA there is a transcellular shift due to decreased insulin that leads to more H+ entering the cell in exchange for K+. This leads to hyperkalemia with depleted intracellular stores of K+. There is also osmotic diuresis that leads to increased K+ loss in the urine and total body K+ depletion. The question asks that is most likely to decrease with insulin therapy: serum potassium concentration will decrease as K+ is now exchanged for H+ inside the cell.