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Evidence-Based Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Critically Ill Patients
Name:
Capella University
NUR 4025-Research and Evidence-Based Decision Making
Instructor:
2026
, 2
Evidence-Based Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Critically Ill Patients
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic condition involving a rise in
blood sugar level, acidosis, and ketonemia. It must be cured quickly and correctly to prevent life-
threatening situations. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients who are acutely ill are particularly
vulnerable, as failure to respond appropriately or variation in care between healthcare providers
can aggravate the situation. Some of the complications that can occur are brain edema,
electrolyte imbalances, heart instability, and acute kidney damage. The use of evidence-based
practices in caring for critically ill DKA patients, such as standard insulin infusion interventions
approved by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is significant in making them safer, heal
more promptly, and reduce their chances of succumbing.
Review of the PICO(T) Process
The PICO(T) process is a structured way to develop focused clinical study questions used
in evidence-based practice. It aids healthcare providers in finding and arranging the most
important parts of a question so that they can use them to guide literature searches and make
decisions (Luijendijk, 2021). P stands for Population or Patient, defining who is affected; I is
Intervention, the treatment or strategy being considered; C is Comparison, the alternative or
standard care; O is Outcome, the measurable effect of the intervention; and T (optional) is Time,
the duration over which outcomes are assessed. Using PICO(T) ensures questions are specific,
measurable, and clinically relevant, facilitating the identification of high-quality evidence.
Diagnosis, Outcomes, Risks, and Complications
DKA is a serious metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and
ketonemia, most commonly occurring in patients with type 1 diabetes. Outcomes depend on
timely recognition and management, including fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and
Evidence-Based Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Critically Ill Patients
Name:
Capella University
NUR 4025-Research and Evidence-Based Decision Making
Instructor:
2026
, 2
Evidence-Based Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Critically Ill Patients
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening metabolic condition involving a rise in
blood sugar level, acidosis, and ketonemia. It must be cured quickly and correctly to prevent life-
threatening situations. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients who are acutely ill are particularly
vulnerable, as failure to respond appropriately or variation in care between healthcare providers
can aggravate the situation. Some of the complications that can occur are brain edema,
electrolyte imbalances, heart instability, and acute kidney damage. The use of evidence-based
practices in caring for critically ill DKA patients, such as standard insulin infusion interventions
approved by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is significant in making them safer, heal
more promptly, and reduce their chances of succumbing.
Review of the PICO(T) Process
The PICO(T) process is a structured way to develop focused clinical study questions used
in evidence-based practice. It aids healthcare providers in finding and arranging the most
important parts of a question so that they can use them to guide literature searches and make
decisions (Luijendijk, 2021). P stands for Population or Patient, defining who is affected; I is
Intervention, the treatment or strategy being considered; C is Comparison, the alternative or
standard care; O is Outcome, the measurable effect of the intervention; and T (optional) is Time,
the duration over which outcomes are assessed. Using PICO(T) ensures questions are specific,
measurable, and clinically relevant, facilitating the identification of high-quality evidence.
Diagnosis, Outcomes, Risks, and Complications
DKA is a serious metabolic disorder marked by hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and
ketonemia, most commonly occurring in patients with type 1 diabetes. Outcomes depend on
timely recognition and management, including fluid resuscitation, insulin therapy, and
