A 28-year-old female with Type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Her blood glucose is 600 mg/dL, pH 7.15, bicarbonate 8 mEq/L. After establishing IV access and initiating normal saline fluid resuscitation, what is the next critical initial management step?

The correct answer to the question "A 28-year-old female with Type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Her blood glucose is 600 mg/dL, pH 7.15, bicarbonate 8 mEq/L. After establishing IV access and initiating normal saline fluid resuscitation, what is the next critical initial management step?" is Option B: Start a continuous intravenous insulin infusion..

The other options — A) Administer a rapid-acting insulin bolus subcutaneously., C) Administer IV sodium bicarbonate., D) Give IV potassium chloride. — are incorrect for this USMLE Exam Prep question. As explained above: After initial fluid resuscitation, continuous intravenous insulin infusion is crucial to correct hyperglycemia, reverse ketosis, and normalize acid-base balance in DKA. Subcutaneous insulin is not ap…