Diagnosis of DKA involves a combination of clinical presentation and laboratory tests. Key tests include blood glucose levels, arterial blood gas analysis, and serum ketone measurement. A blood glucose level above 250 mg/dL, an anion gap metabolic acidosis, and elevated serum ketones are indicative of DKA. Toxicologists must differentiate DKA from other causes of metabolic acidosis, such as methanol poisoning or salicylate toxicity.
