A common presentation of a patient developing diabetic ketoacidosis includes which of the following symptoms?

In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), one of the hallmark presentations is dehydration. DKA typically occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes, but can also be seen in type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by a combination of hyperglycemia, an increase in ketone bodies, and acidosis.

As the body starts to metabolize fat for energy due to insufficient insulin, it produces an excess of ketones, leading to metabolic acidosis. The elevated blood glucose levels also result in osmotic diuresis, where glucose in the urine pulls water and electrolytes along with it. This causes significant loss of fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration.

Patients may present with signs of dehydration such as dry mucous membranes, hypotension, tachycardia, and reduced skin turgor. The loss of liquid from the vascular system can also contribute to the various symptoms experienced by the patient in DKA.

While fever and abdominal pain can be associated with DKA, they are not as definitive as dehydration, which is one of the critical components of the clinical diagnosis. Hypertension may not be a common finding in DKA and can vary based on the individual patient’s condition and response. Thus, the presentation of dehydration