What is a common complication of untreated hyperglycemia?

• A. Hypoglycemic shock
• B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
• C. Cardiac arrest
• D. Respiratory failure

Answer: (B)

Untreated hyperglycemia commonly leads to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition primarily associated with type 1 diabetes but can also occur in type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances. In hyperglycemia, the body lacks sufficient insulin to allow glucose to enter cells for energy, leading to the breakdown of fat as an alternative energy source. This fat metabolism produces ketones, which can accumulate in the blood and lead to acidosis.

During DKA, the body's pH decreases, resulting in an acidic environment that can disrupt normal bodily functions. Symptoms of DKA include high blood sugar levels, ketones in the urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-scented breath, and altered consciousness. If left untreated, DKA can progress rapidly to coma or death, making it a direct and severe complication of prolonged hyperglycemia.

While hypoglycemic shock is a concern for individuals with diabetes, it is caused by low blood sugar levels, not high, and is unrelated to untreated hyperglycemia. Cardiac arrest and respiratory failure can also occur in critically ill patients but are not directly linked as common complications of untreated hyperglycemia itself. Thus, diabetic ketoacidosis stands out as the most