What acute complication involves severe hyperglycemia with metabolic acidosis and ketone production?

• A. DKA
• B. Diabetes Mellitus
• C. Insulin
• D. Glucagon

Answer: (D)

When insulin is severely lacking or its action is impaired, the body cannot use glucose effectively and starts breaking down fats for energy. This fat breakdown releases ketone bodies, which accumulate and cause metabolic acidosis. The combination of severe hyperglycemia from increased glucose production and decreased uptake, with ketone-driven acidosis, defines diabetic ketoacidosis, an acute emergency that requires rapid fluids, insulin, and electrolyte management. Diabetes mellitus is the underlying chronic condition, not this specific acute complication. Insulin is the treatment for this state, and glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose but does not describe the acidosis with ketone production seen in this scenario.