Once [glucose] has fallen to around 14 mM (a value based on tradition more than anything else) 5% dextrose (with appropriate potassium) is given rather than saline. Adminis- tering hypertonic dextrose (1 litre 10% dextrose + 40 units insulin at 250 ml/h) rather than isotonic dextrose (1 litre 5% dextrose + 10 units insulin at 250 ml/h) may accelerate the clearance of ketone bodies but also causes a rise in [glucose] without an additional improvement in blood pH or bicarbonate.8