During a coma due to diabetic ketoacidosis, what breathing pattern is described?

During a coma due to diabetic ketoacidosis, what breathing pattern is described?

• A. Rapid, shallow breathing
• B. No abnormal breathing
• C. Wheezing
• D. Deep and slow breathing

Answer: (D)

Metabolic acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis drives the body to blow off CO2, so the breathing becomes a compensatory hyperventilation known as Kussmaul respiration. This pattern is characterized by deep, rapid, effortful breaths with a regular rhythm. In a coma from DKA, this compensatory drive persists, so you would expect breaths that are both deep and fast, not shallow or slow. It would not be wheezing (airway obstruction) or an absence of abnormal breathing. So the describing pattern is deep and rapid breathing.

Metabolic acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis drives the body to blow off CO2, so the breathing becomes a compensatory hyperventilation known as Kussmaul respiration. This pattern is characterized by deep, rapid, effortful breaths with a regular rhythm. In a coma from DKA, this compensatory drive persists, so you would expect breaths that are both deep and fast, not shallow or slow. It would not be wheezing (airway obstruction) or an absence of abnormal breathing. So the describing pattern is deep and rapid breathing.