For DKA: previously undiagnosed or poorly treated type 1 diabetes
For AKA: typically malnourished
For renal failure: typically chronic, advanced renal disease (diabetes and htn most common)
Symptoms
Typically based on underlying disease
DKA: usually ill, polyuria, polydypsia
Chronic alcohol abuse related: chronic intoxication, often doing poorly w/life in general, may have symptoms related to chronic liver disease, GI bleeding
Renal failure: fatigue, nausea, generalized weakness; may have confusion (if uremia), volume overload
Physical Exam Findings
Sometimes tachypnea (compensatory)
May appear acute or chronically ill
Vital sign abnormalities based on magnitude of underlying conditions
Other findings based on underlying problems that lead to the acidosis