Diabetic Ketoacidosis MCQ Quiz | Endocrinology & Metabolism

Welcome to this comprehensive quiz on Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a critical topic in Endocrinology for MBBS students. This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of this life-threatening diabetic emergency. You will face 25 multiple-choice questions covering key concepts from initial fluid resuscitation and insulin therapy to monitoring for complications like cerebral edema. After completing the quiz, you can submit your answers to see your score and review the correct responses. For your future reference and study, an option to download all questions with their correct answers in a convenient PDF format is also provided. Good luck!

1. Which of the following is the classic biochemical triad for the diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

2. What is the most appropriate initial intravenous fluid for resuscitation in an adult patient with DKA?

3. A patient with DKA presents with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

4. Kussmaul breathing in DKA is a compensatory response to which acid-base disturbance?

5. Which ketone body is NOT typically detected by the standard nitroprusside urine test?

6. The most dangerous and life-threatening complication of DKA treatment, particularly in children, is:

7. In DKA management, when the blood glucose level falls to approximately 200-250 mg/dL (11-14 mmol/L), what adjustment should be made to the IV fluids?

8. What is the primary role of counter-regulatory hormones (glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol) in the pathophysiology of DKA?

9. A patient’s labs are: Na+ 130, Cl- 95, HCO3- 10. What is the calculated anion gap?

10. The administration of insulin in DKA causes potassium to shift in which direction?

11. What is the most common precipitating factor for DKA?

12. At what arterial pH level is intravenous sodium bicarbonate therapy generally considered in adult DKA management?

13. Which of the following best describes the total body potassium status in a patient with newly presenting DKA?

14. What is the recommended rate for a continuous intravenous infusion of regular insulin for an adult with DKA?

15. Euglycemic DKA, a condition where ketoacidosis occurs without significant hyperglycemia, is a known side effect of which class of medications?

16. The characteristic “fruity” odor on the breath of a DKA patient is caused by the exhalation of which substance?

17. Which of the following is NOT a criterion for the resolution of DKA?

18. Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS) differs from DKA primarily in:

19. How should the transition from intravenous to subcutaneous insulin be managed once DKA is resolved?

20. Abdominal pain is a common symptom in DKA. It is thought to be caused by several factors, including:

21. In the management of DKA, phosphate repletion is:

22. What is the formula for calculating corrected sodium in the setting of hyperglycemia?

23. The development of a non-anion gap hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis during DKA treatment is often due to:

24. What is the primary reason for avoiding hypotonic fluids (e.g., 0.45% NaCl) as the initial resuscitation fluid in DKA?

25. A definitive diagnosis of ketoacidosis is best made by measuring which of the following?