How is Diabetic Ketoacidosis diagnosed?

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is diagnosed based on a combination of clinical criteria, including the presence of metabolic acidosis and ketone bodies. Specifically, the arterial blood gas analysis revealing a low pH indicates metabolic acidosis, which is a hallmark of DKA. Additionally, the presence of positive serum ketones corroborates the diagnosis, as they are produced when the body starts to break down fat instead of glucose for energy due to insulin deficiency.

High glucose levels alone do not definitively diagnose DKA, as elevated glucose can occur in other conditions. A normal arterial blood gas would suggest that metabolic acidosis is not present, which would rule out DKA. The presence of ketones in urine can provide some information but is not sufficient on its own for a DKA diagnosis without the accompanying acid-base status provided by arterial blood gas testing. Therefore, the combination of low pH in arterial blood gas alongside positive serum ketones provides a comprehensive view confirming the diagnosis of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.