In diabetic ketoacidosis, respirations are typically described as:

In diabetic ketoacidosis, respirations are typically described as:

• A. Rapid and shallow
• B. Deep and rapid
• C. Slow and shallow
• D. Normal and shallow

Answer: (B)

Metabolic acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis triggers a breathing pattern known as Kussmaul respiration: the body increases ventilation to blow off CO2, producing deep and rapid respirations. This deep, rapid breathing is the hallmark of the compensatory response to acidosis, helping to raise pH toward normal by reducing hydrogen ion concentration. That’s why the description “deep and rapid” is the best fit. A rapid but shallow pattern wouldn’t remove enough CO2 to compensate, slow and shallow wouldn’t correct the acidosis, and normal and shallow would indicate no compensation at all.

Metabolic acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis triggers a breathing pattern known as Kussmaul respiration: the body increases ventilation to blow off CO2, producing deep and rapid respirations. This deep, rapid breathing is the hallmark of the compensatory response to acidosis, helping to raise pH toward normal by reducing hydrogen ion concentration.

That’s why the description “deep and rapid” is the best fit. A rapid but shallow pattern wouldn’t remove enough CO2 to compensate, slow and shallow wouldn’t correct the acidosis, and normal and shallow would indicate no compensation at all.