Diabetes mellitus produces many homeostatic imbalances, including acidosis. The
ID: 3481835 • Letter: D
Question
Diabetes mellitus produces many homeostatic imbalances, including acidosis. The pH imbalance is due to ketoacidosis, which results from excessive accumulation of by-products of fat metabolism, as the body cannot meet energy needs from carbohydrate metabolism. Maria is a teenaged diabetic who sometimes rebels by not taking her insulin. Her mother takes her to the hospital because her breathing has become deep and gasping. Explain Maria's breathing pattern. Which other compensatory responses may occur, and would they occur earlier or later than the respiratory response?
Explanation / Answer
In the ketoacidosis the ability of the body can fail to regulate adequate amount of ketone body production and it leads to ketoacids severe accumulation. The increased amount of acidic concentration can reduce the blood pH. According to the given situation Maria’s respiratory system responding to her ketoacidosis. So the Maria's has deep and gasping breathing pattern. By hyperventilating, she removes more CO2 from her blood, which will shift the carbonic acid equation to the right, removing free H+ and will raise her body's pH. Chemical buffering in the blood is the first reaction which happens immediately after the initial pH disturbance, as this is an ongoing process. The kidneys buffer more slowly, so they are effective later.