A 26-year-old bulimic woman is found weak and lethargic in her apartment by a neighbor. Mucous membranes are dry and she is minimally responsive. The neighbor dials 911 and the woman is rushed to the...

A 26-year-old bulimic woman is found weak and lethargic in her apartment by a neighbor. Mucous membranes are dry and she is minimally responsive. The neighbor dials 911 and the woman is rushed to the nearest hospital where laboratory tests reveal blood glucose levels of 800, serum pH 7.1, Pco2 18 mmHq, Po2 98 mmHq, and HCO3 10 meq/L. The patient is rapidly rehydrated with IV fluids and given an injection of exogenous insulin. When using exogenous insulin therapy, serum C-peptide levels are:

A. Increased

B. Decreased

C. Normal

D. Indicative of long-term glycemic control

E. Necessary for acute therapeutic monitoring