After treatment for DKA, what should be monitored closely due to potential rapid fluctuations?

Monitoring blood glucose levels after treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is crucial because rapid fluctuations can occur due to the adjustments in insulin administration and the body's response to treatment. As insulin is given to correct the hyperglycemia and acidosis, blood glucose levels can decline sharply, leading to a risk of hypoglycemia if not closely monitored. It's important to ensure that the transition from hyperglycemia to normoglycemia is carefully managed to avoid complications that can arise from swift changes in blood sugar levels.

While urine output, blood pressure, and temperature are all important to monitor in a patient recovering from DKA, they do not fluctuate as rapidly or critically in response to treatment for DKA as blood glucose levels do. For instance, urine output may be influenced by fluid administration but is not generally subject to the same immediate fluctuations as glucose levels. Blood pressure can provide insights into the patient's volume status and response to treatment but also does not vary in an acute manner directly related to DKA treatment. Temperature monitoring is essential for identifying infections or other complications but is less variable in the context of managing acute metabolic imbalances like DKA. Therefore, prioritizing blood glucose level monitoring is key to safe and effective recovery from this condition.