Round 4 (MW) – Shortness of Breath

You are working a shift at Clerkship General when the charge nurse comes and grabs you to see a 24yo male who appears to be in respiratory distress.







Critical Actions:



* Diagnose DKA* Replete potassium* Start insulin AFTER potassium repletion* EITHER place central line for faster K repletion OR initiate bipap to allow time for potassium repletion via existing peripheral line* Admit to ICU



Further Reading:



EMCrit – DKA