A 24-year-old woman with Type 1 Diabetes presents with persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain for the past day. She also mentions she has been feeling thirsty and urinating a lot. On examination, her breath has a fruity odor. Her blood glucose level is 450 mg/dL, and urine ketones are positive. What is the potential diagnosis, and what are the next steps?
This woman's presentation is consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of Type 1 Diabetes that occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a fast rate due to a lack of insulin, leading to an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Immediate hospital admission is required. Treatment includes intravenous fluids, insulin therapy, and electrolyte replacement. Additionally, identifying and treating any underlying trigger (such as infection) is important.