Which factor can precipitate diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with type 1 diabetes?

• A. Excessive emotional stress
• B. Running a fever with the flu
• C. Taking too much insulin
• D. Eating fewer calories than prescribed

Answer: (B)

When type 1 diabetes has a crisis like diabetic ketoacidosis, it’s usually because the body’s need for insulin outstrips what’s available, especially during illness or stress. An acute fever from a flu is a clear trigger because illness ramps up hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, and adrenaline. These hormones push the liver to produce more glucose and promote fat breakdown into ketones, while at the same time insulin resistance increases. With less effective insulin coverage and often reduced oral intake and dehydration from fever, the body ends up with high glucose, high ketone production, and acidosis.

That’s why fever with a flu is a classic precipitating factor for DKA in someone with type 1 diabetes. Other scenarios can contribute, but the infection creates a particularly strong, direct metabolic stress that drives ketone formation and acidosis. If someone with type 1 develops fever or illness, they should monitor glucose and ketones closely and seek guidance on insulin and fluid adjustments.