Nursing Care Plan for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Also searched as: DKA
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
A life-threatening complication of diabetes in which insulin deficiency causes high blood glucose, ketone buildup, and metabolic acidosis. Nursing care is urgent: restore fluids and electrolytes, correct glucose with insulin, and monitor closely.
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Assessment
- Subjective: excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue
- Objective: blood glucose >250 mg/dL, ketones in blood/urine, Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath, dehydration, low bicarbonate
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: dry mucous membranes, tachycardia, high glucose
Risk factors: potassium shifts during treatment
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will regain fluid balance with stable vital signs and improving glucose during care.
- The patient will maintain safe potassium levels through treatment before transfer/discharge.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Give IV fluids as prescribed and monitor intake/output and vital signs. | Rehydration restores perfusion and helps lower glucose. |
| Administer IV insulin per protocol and check glucose hourly. | Insulin stops ketone production and lowers glucose; frequent checks prevent hypoglycemia. |
| Monitor potassium closely and replace as ordered. | Insulin drives potassium into cells, risking dangerous hypokalemia. |
| Watch respiratory status, mental state, and acid-base labs. | Detects worsening acidosis or cerebral edema early. |
Evaluation
- Glucose trending toward target; ketones clearing
- Fluid balance restored
- Potassium within safe range
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Build a care plan free Preview Pro (coming soon)Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Deficient fluid volume related to osmotic diuresis and vomiting; Risk for electrolyte imbalance related to acidosis and insulin therapy. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
Key interventions: Give IV fluids as prescribed and monitor intake/output and vital signs.; Administer IV insulin per protocol and check glucose hourly.; Monitor potassium closely and replace as ordered. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
For nursing education only — NOT medical advice and not a clinical decision-making tool. Nothing here should be used to assess, diagnose, or treat any real patient. Care plans and answers are unverified study drafts to review with your instructor or a licensed clinician and adapt to the individual patient and your institution’s protocols before any use.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.