What condition is a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus most likely to experience if they cannot eat or drink for an extended period?

In the context of a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who cannot eat or drink for an extended period, the most likely condition they would experience is diabetic ketoacidosis. When individuals with type 1 diabetes do not consume carbohydrates, their body lacks the glucose it needs for energy. As a result, the body begins to break down fat for fuel, leading to the production of ketones.

This process can lead to a buildup of ketones in the bloodstream, causing the blood to become acidic—a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In type 1 diabetes, when there is little or no insulin available due to prolonged fasting or inadequate insulin administration, the body cannot utilize glucose effectively, resulting in the aforementioned metabolic state.

On the other hand, while hypoglycemia can occur if the individual has taken insulin and does not consume food, any extended period without food would not typically lead to hypoglycemia without the corresponding insulin administration. Instead, without food intake, the body compensates by utilizing fat, leading to the risk of DKA. Hyperglycemia is also a concern, but it is less likely in the case of absolute fasting, as food is the main contributor to elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance typically pertains