Stopping insulin when glucose normalizes but gap remains
NCLEX-RN glossary · Pharmacological And Parenteral Therapies
Definition
A critical clinical error in the management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) where the insulin infusion is discontinued based on blood sugar levels while the anion gap remains open.
Stopping insulin when glucose normalizes but gap remains in plain English
Insulin must continue until the anion gap is closed, as the primary goal in DKA is the resolution of metabolic acidosis, not just the normalization of glucose. A frequent error is discontinuing the insulin infusion as soon as the client's blood glucose drops below 250 mg per dL, ignoring the underlying acidosis.
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