Question
An untreated patient with diabetes mellitus who is in a state of ketoacidosis will (A) be breathing rapidly (B) be breathing slowly C) excrete an alkaline urine (D) excrete a urine with the pH of 7
Ask by Owen Newton. in the United States
Dec 07,2024
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Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
(A) be breathing rapidly.
Solution
In a state of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the patient typically exhibits rapid, deep breathing known as Kussmaul respirations as a compensatory mechanism to counteract metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the correct answer is:
(A) be breathing rapidly.
The other options are incorrect because:
(B) Breathing slowly is not characteristic of DKA; patients usually breathe rapidly.
(C) Urine in DKA is typically acidic, not alkaline, due to the presence of ketones.
(D) The urine pH in DKA is usually less than 7, indicating acidity, not neutral.
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A patient with diabetes mellitus in a state of ketoacidosis will typically exhibit rapid breathing, known as Kussmaul respirations. This compensatory mechanism helps to blow off excess carbon dioxide to combat acidosis, aiming to normalize blood pH levels. In addition to rapid breathing, you'll also find that their urine tends to be more acidic, often leading to a pH lower than 7. Ketoacidosis results in ketone bodies being excreted through urine, contributing to the acidic environment. It's important to monitor these symptoms closely for effective management!
