The increased ketone and glucose
results suggest that the patient's diabetes mellitus is
uncontrolled. This is a set of results that always requires
immediate notification of the physician. Ketonuria occurs in
patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus because the body cannot
use the available carbohydrates, so it begins to metabolize fatty acids
instead. The fact that the patient is diabetic also causes
increased concern because diabetes is a systemic disorder that often
results in renal disease. Many diabetic patients die of renal
failure. Therefore, this case would require increased concern due
to the severity of the combined conditions.
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