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Nursing QUESTION #9281
Question 1
A patient is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which arterial blood gas (ABG) pattern is expected?
  • pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
  • pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 28 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 10 mEq/L✔️
  • pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg, HCO₃≯ 26 mEq/L
  • pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg, HCO₃≯ 28 mEq/L
Correct Answer Explanation

In Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), insulin deficiency leads to:

  1. Excess fat breakdown → ketone body production
  2. Accumulation of ketoacids → metabolic acidosis
  3. Compensatory hyperventilation (Kussmaul breathing) → \\text{PaCO}_2 falls (respiratory compensation)

Expected ABG in DKA:

ParameterValueInterpretation
pH< 7.35Acidosis
\\text{PaCO}_2< 35 mmHgRespiratory compensation (hyperventilation)
\\text{HCO}_3^-< 18 mEq/LPrimary metabolic loss

Option B (pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 28, HCO₃ 10) fits perfectly — metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation.