Let's break down diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) for nursing school and the Next Gen NCLEX! 👇 DKA is a severe, acute complication most common in type 1 diabetes. It happens when there is insufficient 🚫 insulin to carry glucose to the cells, leading to a buildup ⬆️ of glucose in the 🩸 blood! Since the body cannot use glucose for energy, it starts to break down fat instead. Ketones are produced as a byproduct, which leads to a buildup of acids (ketoacidosis) in the blood. The high ⬆️ glucose concen