Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following describes Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

1. Burning fat for energy

2. Normal blood glucose levels

3. Insulin overdose

4. Severe dehydration with no ketones

The correct answer is: Burning fat for energy

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is characterized by the body’s shift to burning fat for energy due to a lack of insulin. In individuals with diabetes, particularly type 1, insufficient insulin results in glucose not being utilized effectively by the body's cells. To compensate, the body begins to breakdown fat stores for energy, which leads to the production of ketones. These ketones accumulate in the bloodstream, resulting in a state of acidosis. High levels of ketones can cause severe metabolic disturbances, leading to symptoms such as fruity-smelling breath, abdominal pain, and altered mental status. While other options present scenarios related to diabetes, they do not accurately describe DKA. Normal blood glucose levels contradict the essence of DKA, as this condition typically occurs when blood glucose is elevated. An insulin overdose would also lead to hypoglycemia rather than ketoacidosis, where insufficient insulin is the issue. Lastly, severe dehydration may occur in DKA, but the presence of ketones is a defining feature of the condition, making the option regarding dehydration without ketones inaccurate. Therefore, burning fat for energy captures the primary metabolic derangement seen in Diabetic Ketoacidosis.