What it means
The liver makes ketones when the body cannot use glucose, because there is too little insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry , or when there is little glucose to use, as in fasting. Small amounts are harmless, but large amounts make the blood acidic, as in diabetic ketoacidosisdy-uh-BET-ik kee-toh-as-ih-DOH-sisA state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.ket/o ketonesacid/o acid-osis abnormal conditionFull entry . Ketones can be measured in urine or blood and can give the breath a fruity smell.
For the nurse
Teach clients with type 1 diabetes to check for ketones when their blood glucose is high (over 240 mg/dL is a common point) or when they are sick.
At a glance
| Spanish | cetona |
|---|---|
| Also written | ketones, ketone bodies |
Related terms
Kussmaul respirations
A breathing pattern of deep, rapid, labored breaths at an even pace.
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
diabetic ketoacidosis
A state of high blood glucose, ketones in the blood and acidic blood, caused by a lack of insulin.
type 1 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin because the immune system has destroyed the cells that make it.