Which breathing pattern is commonly seen in DKA due to metabolic acidosis?

Which breathing pattern is commonly seen in DKA due to metabolic acidosis?

• A. Cheyne-Stokes
• B. Kussmaul breathing
• C. Biot respiration
• D. Apneustic

Answer: (B)

When the body faces metabolic acidosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis, it compensates by increasing ventilation to blow off carbon dioxide, helping raise the blood pH. The breathing that fits this compensation is deep, rapid, and regular—Kussmaul breathing. This pattern is characteristic of metabolic acidosis from DKA and reflects the body's attempt to reduce hydrogen ion concentration by lowering CO2. Other patterns come from different problems: Cheyne-Stokes involves cycles of waxing and waning depth with periodic pauses and is common with heart failure or brain injuries; Biot respiration features irregular depths with unpredictable pauses and points to CNS issues; apneustic breathing shows prolonged inspiration usually due to brainstem damage.

When the body faces metabolic acidosis as in diabetic ketoacidosis, it compensates by increasing ventilation to blow off carbon dioxide, helping raise the blood pH. The breathing that fits this compensation is deep, rapid, and regular—Kussmaul breathing. This pattern is characteristic of metabolic acidosis from DKA and reflects the body's attempt to reduce hydrogen ion concentration by lowering CO2.

Other patterns come from different problems: Cheyne-Stokes involves cycles of waxing and waning depth with periodic pauses and is common with heart failure or brain injuries; Biot respiration features irregular depths with unpredictable pauses and points to CNS issues; apneustic breathing shows prolonged inspiration usually due to brainstem damage.