The laboratory results were consistent with Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as a result of untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus.  Ali was admitted to the hospital where intravenous fluids were started to alleviate dehydration.   An insulin I.V. drip was also started.

What is Diabetes?

Straight talk from a girl with type 1 diabetes explaining diabetic ketoacidosis

15.  Why do individuals with untreated type I diabetes go into a state of ketoacidosis?

16.  What are common symptoms of DKA?

17.  What is the most common cause of diabetes in children?

18.  How does insulin affect glucose in the body?

19.  What are the classic symptoms of diabetes?

20. What is the cause of each symptom?

21.  How is diabetes diagnosed?

The following morning Ali and her parents met with a diabetes nurse educator.   She explained that insulin is like a key that unlocks the door to the cells in the body so that glucose can pass through.  Ali's body had destroyed the beta cells in her pancreas that make insulin, so her body had not been getting any nutrients.  High glucose levels in the blood and the kidneys caused excessive fluid loss causing Ali's severe dehydration.   From now on, Ali would have to give insulin by shots.  Ali practiced giving shots to oranges, and even practiced on mom and dad.  She also practiced testing her blood sugar on a glucometer.

22.  In what ways is a nurse educator different than a traditional registered nurse?

Ali's next visitor was the endocrinologist.  He explained that they would be testing her blood sugar every two hours for the next day.   This would help him decide how much insulin she would need when she left the hospital.  Ali would be taking two insulin shots a day, before breakfast and dinner.  

23.  What type of patient would an endocrinologist treat?