What are the typical glucose levels in DKA and HHS?

What are the typical glucose levels in DKA and HHS?

• A. DKA 150-250 mg/dL; HHS 250-700 mg/dL.
• B. DKA 50-150 mg/dL; HHS 100-200 mg/dL.
• C. DKA 300-800 mg/dL; HHS 600-2,000 mg/dL.
• D. DKA 1000-2000 mg/dL; HHS 1000-4000 mg/dL.

Answer: (C)

Understanding typical glucose levels helps differentiate DKA from HHS. In DKA, hyperglycemia is present but usually moderate, commonly falling in the 300–800 mg/dL range. In contrast, HHS shows much more severe hyperglycemia, often 600–2000 mg/dL, due to profound dehydration and osmotic diuresis; insulin deficiency is enough to stop glucose production but not to prevent the extreme high glucose seen in HHS. So the best match is DKA around 300–800 mg/dL and HHS around 600–2000 mg/dL. The other ranges are outside what’s typically observed for these conditions.

Understanding typical glucose levels helps differentiate DKA from HHS. In DKA, hyperglycemia is present but usually moderate, commonly falling in the 300–800 mg/dL range. In contrast, HHS shows much more severe hyperglycemia, often 600–2000 mg/dL, due to profound dehydration and osmotic diuresis; insulin deficiency is enough to stop glucose production but not to prevent the extreme high glucose seen in HHS. So the best match is DKA around 300–800 mg/dL and HHS around 600–2000 mg/dL. The other ranges are outside what’s typically observed for these conditions.