What is a key feature of diabetic ketoacidosis?

• A. Hypoglycemia and hypertension
• B. Weight gain and edema
• C. Polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration with metabolic acidosis
• D. Bradycardia

Answer: (C)

Diabetic ketoacidosis presents with a combination of osmotic diuresis and ketosis. When insulin is deficient, glucose stays in the blood and spills into the urine, drawing water with it. That osmotic effect causes increased urination (polyuria) and, from fluid loss, thirst (polydipsia) and dehydration. At the same time, lack of insulin and the rise in counter-regulatory hormones trigger ketone production, leading to an accumulation of ketoacids and a metabolic acidosis. This trio—polyuria, polydipsia, dehydration, plus a metabolic acidosis from ketones—is the hallmark, with common accompanying symptoms like tachycardia and sometimes fruity breath or abdominal discomfort. Choices suggesting hypoglycemia, weight gain with edema, or bradycardia don’t fit the typical DKA picture.