Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can involve a diverse number of problems, many of which may be manifested by deterioration in pulmonary function.
Patient selection: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Possible causes of respiratory deterioration in diabetic ketoacidosis include:
(1) severe hypophosphatemia, severe hypomagnesemia and/or severe hypokalemia
(2) aspiration
(3) pulmonary edema from fluid overload
(4) pneumonia
(5) ARDS
(6) pneumothorax following insertion of central line
(7) worsening of acidosis after interruption of tachypnea (in a patient using respiratory alkalosis to compensate for metabolic acidosis)
(8) substance abuse with overdose
