Team approach to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)Although a life-threatening condition with seriously “sick” patients, DKA patients can be very satisfying to treat as the pathophysiology is often quite predictable and no “heroics” are necessary within the first hours of treatment as they first need stabilisation prior to insulin therapy. The goal is not to decrease the serum glucose levels as quick as possible, but to identify the real foe: “The Ketones!” We will discuss why the naughty ketones are so dangerous and how to counteract their effect on the patient. 

 Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify DKA and how to stabilise the emergency patient.  
• Identify other comorbidities and eliminate threats from electrolyte imbalances.
• How to use a team approach to successfully manage these patients.