DKA diabetic ketoacidosis vs. HHS (HHNS) NCLEX

Simple Nursing2 minutes read

DKA occurs in type 1 diabetes due to no insulin production, leading to fat burning and acidic Ketone bodies, while HHNS is common in type 2 diabetes with minimal insulin function, causing glucose burning and thick blood. DKA has a faster onset but is easier to fix in younger patients, while HHNS is more challenging to treat and seen in older individuals, triggered by illness and infections.

Insights

  • DKA, more common in type 1 diabetes, involves fat burning for fuel and acidic Ketone bodies due to no insulin production, while HHNS, prevalent in type 2 diabetes, results in thick, dehydrated blood from glucose burning and minimal insulin function.
  • DKA has a quicker onset and is simpler to address, affecting younger individuals with type 1 diabetes, while HHNS has a slower onset, is harder to manage, and is frequently observed in older patients, with causes including high sugar levels from sepsis and stress for DKA, and illnesses and infections for HHNS.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?

    DKA is a common complication in type 1 diabetes, characterized by no insulin production. This leads to the body burning fat for fuel and producing acidic Ketone bodies. It typically has a faster onset and affects younger patients with type 1 diabetes. Causes of DKA include high sugar levels due to sepsis and stress.

  • What is Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)?

    HHNS is prevalent in type 2 diabetes, where there is minimal insulin function. This results in the body burning glucose instead of fat, leading to thick, dehydrated blood with no Ketone bodies. HHNS has a slower onset and is more challenging to treat, commonly seen in older patients. It is often triggered by illness and infections.

  • How does DKA differ from HHNS?

    DKA is more common in type 1 diabetes with no insulin production, leading to fat burning and acidic Ketone bodies. On the other hand, HHNS is prevalent in type 2 diabetes with minimal insulin function, resulting in glucose burning and dehydrated blood with no Ketone bodies. DKA has a faster onset and is easier to fix, affecting younger patients, while HHNS has a slower onset and is more challenging to treat, commonly seen in older patients.

  • What are the causes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis?

    Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is caused by high sugar levels due to sepsis and stress in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The lack of insulin production leads to the body burning fat for fuel and producing acidic Ketone bodies, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of DKA.

  • What triggers Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS)?

    Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) is often triggered by illness and infections in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The minimal insulin function in type 2 diabetes leads to the body burning glucose instead of fat, resulting in thick, dehydrated blood with no Ketone bodies. HHNS has a slower onset and is more challenging to treat, commonly seen in older patients.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Diabetic Ketoacidosis vs Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome

  • DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) is more common in type 1 diabetes, characterized by no insulin production, leading to fat burning for fuel and the production of acidic Ketone bodies. On the other hand, HHNS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome) is prevalent in type 2 diabetes, where there is minimal insulin function, resulting in the body burning glucose instead of fat, leading to thick, dehydrated blood with no Ketone bodies.
  • DKA typically has a faster onset and is easier to fix, affecting younger patients with type 1 diabetes, while HHNS has a slower onset and is more challenging to treat, commonly seen in older patients. Causes of DKA include high sugar levels due to sepsis and stress, while HHNS is often triggered by illness and infections.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.