What should be administered to a patient in alcoholic ketoacidosis in addition to thiamine?

In the context of managing alcoholic ketoacidosis, administering normal saline and glucose is essential for providing hydration and correcting electrolyte imbalances. Alcoholic ketoacidosis commonly results from prolonged alcohol consumption, leading to dehydration and ketone body production due to inadequate carbohydrate intake.

Normal saline helps to restore fluid volume and support blood pressure, while the glucose component is crucial for halting ketogenesis by providing an immediate source of carbohydrates that the body can utilize for energy. This helps to reduce the production of ketones and stabilize the patient's metabolic status.

Thiamine is also administered to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy, a serious neurological complication related to alcohol use. However, without the addition of normal saline and glucose, the body's metabolic processes may remain disrupted, hindering recovery.

Other treatment options may address different aspects of the condition but are not the primary considerations in this scenario. For instance, bicarbonate and insulin can help in cases of metabolic acidosis but may not be necessary or beneficial in alcoholic ketoacidosis specifically. Therefore, normal saline and glucose complement the administration of thiamine in effectively managing the patient's condition.