Patient/caregiver were instructed on the complications diabetic ketoacidosis as follows:

Excess blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetic ketoacidosis lead to frequent urination and loss of fluid volume and electrolytes, resulting in dehydration, dry skin and mouth.

Excess fluid volume loss can result in reduced overall circulating blood volume and reduced blood and oxygen supply to end organs. This can result in compromised function of end organs like heart, kidneys, and brain.

Loss of essential electrolytes, such as, sodium, potassium, and magnesium along with the fluid loss can further compromise end organ function, resulting in complications like impaired cardiac contraction, reduced cardiac output, arrhythmia and acute renal failure.

Loss of fluid volume and dehydration in individuals with diabetic ketoacidosis can increase the viscosity of blood, making it thick. Thicker blood can be at increased risk for activation of coagulation cascade and thereby, formation of clots.

Glucose is the primary nutrient helping for normal function of brain. Inability to use available glucose during the state of diabetic ketoacidosis for lack/deficiency of insulin leads to compromised brain function, resulting in dizziness, impaired coordination, acute confusion and delirium. Individuals in extreme state of diabetic ketoacidosis can present with acute loss of consciousness and life-threatening coma.